Carissimi amici, ecco a tutti voi l'ennesima, orribile, notizia dal fronte di questo mondo impazzito! Nicoletta Dentico
PRESS RELEASE Issued by the Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit, For Immediate Release Now the Real Fight Begins Delhi, 23rd March 2005: Today, the Indian Parliament has made the Patent (Amendment) Bill 2005, law. "In 1981, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of the Congress Party denounced patents. Today the Congress Party tainted this historical legacy by introducing an overly restrictive patent law that severely curtails the ability of the developing countries to access affordable medicines," says Anand Grover, Convenor of the Affordable Medicines and Treatment Campaign. "It has betrayed the pro-poor platform on which it was elected." India is amending its 1970 Patent Act in order to be compliant with the requirements of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The 1970 Act has allowed India to play a pivotal role in supplying affordable generic versions of medicines that are used throughout the developing world. "Today I am using generic AIDS drugs because I can afford the price. Since the Bill has passed, when I need new drugs, I won't be able to afford them. I could become one of the casualties of this new law," says Loon Gangte, President of the Delhi Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS. "The real fight begins now. We will do everything to ensure that dubious patents are not granted by challenging them at all levels," says Leena Menghaney, of the Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit. "When legitimate patents are granted we will, when necessary, push for compulsory licences with fair royalties that reflect industry norms. The process of compulsory licensing for future patented drugs will be extremely cumbersome. There are no set levels of royalties to be paid, which will lead to endless litigation and delays. It allows the patent owner to challenge the grant of compulsory licence and immediately delay the entry of the generic products. Contacts: Leena Meghaney +91 98 11365412 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Laura Hakokongas Director of communications Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines M�decins Sans Fronti�res tel ++41-22-8498 402 mobile tel ++41-76-570 2325 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.accessmed-msf.org -- www.e-laser.org [email protected]
