-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Add your name to the CLEAN GOA INITIATIVE | | | | by visiting this link and following the instructions therein | | | | http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/033926.html | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Question: Do readers feel that Indian Companies are justified in breaking >copyright?
> http://in.rediff.com/money/2005/oct/20drug.htm > > Indian companies may be able to make generic copies of Roche's anti- > influenza drug Tamiflu with its patent still pending in the country. > > "There is a doubt over their (Roche) valid license in India. I am in > talks with my lawyers on how to proceed on this issue," Amar Lulla, > Cipla's joint managing director told PTI from Mumbai. Roche have indicated recently they are willing to licence other countries/pharmas to manufacture Tamiflu. See: QTE http://www.healthcentral.com/newsdetail/408/1507117.html In an effort to calm international fears over a shortage of antiviral drugs that could be used during a bird flu pandemic, the Swiss drug maker Roche announced Tuesday that it would allow rival firms and governments to produce the antiviral medication Tamiflu under license for emergency use, news reports said. UNQTE Besides India, several countries in S.E. Asia also want to manufacture Tamiflu - all are lined up at Roche. > When asked to confirm the status of Tamiflu's patent in India, Roche's India > head G L Telang said, "It is pending". Say what ?? > Lulla said the company expected to make 750 kg (about one million > doses) of its generic version in the first six months of production. Tamiflu is the only drug that appears to protect and treat the H5N1 virus in humans. If an infection of H5N1 occurs in a community, all humans have to take one tablet everyday to protect and/or treat themselves. Average infection in a community is approx 100 days. 1 million doses does not do much if the virus affects a metropolitan area. Also the process to make the drug is lengthy. Roche have indicated the manufacturing process for Tamiflu is "delicate" and complex and takes almost a year. Maybe the docs on Goanet can verify the info as I picked all this up watching a TV Special on H5N1 2 nights ago on CBC Newsworld (http://www.cbc.ca) After SARS in 2003, Torontonians are now bracing for H5N1. On the same programme, a WTO legal/economics expert stated that the WTO has made exceptions to the patents law in the past and the same can be done again. It's a global emergency. More importantly - the H5N1 virus should not learn to infect the human immune system. Best - Bosco -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | 1st Young Goans International Essay contest 2005 | | | | Theme: WHAT CAN I DO FOR GOA | | More details at | | http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/034190.html | --------------------------------------------------------------------------