AEGiS-14IAC: Technology transfer for local production of HIV/AIDS-related drugs in African countries : collaboration between Thailand and Africa.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Technology transfer for local production of HIV/AIDS-related drugs in African countries : collaboration between Thailand and Africa.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. ThOrE1422)

Kraisintu K
Government Pharmaceutical Organization, Bangkok, Thailand

ISSUES: In the Resolution "WHO Medicines Strategy" (WHA54.11), the World Health Assembly recognizes the efforts of Members States to expand access to drugs and promote domestic industry, cooperate constructively in strengthening pharmaceutical policies and practices, including those applicable to generic drugs and intellectual property regimes in order to promote innovation and the development of domestic industries, consistent with applicable international law. The UNGASS Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS 25-27 June 2001, with regard to care support and treatment recommends Members to cooperate constructively in strengthening pharmaceutical policies and practices (including generic drugs and IP regimes).

DESCRIPTION: The Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC) is the execution and management of developmental activities and projects by institutions of developing countries in which they share one another's experience and technical capacities. The production of generic antiretrovirals is currently done in Thailand and Brazil under the auspices of the government and in India by the private sector. In Thailand, it has been shown that the access to antiretroviral drugs is feasible, affordable and cost-effective.

ISSUES: In the context of South-South programmes collaboration, the dialogue has been initiated between WHO/AFRO and Thailand in order to explore the possibilities for technology transfer to African countries to enable them to produce locally antiretroviral drugs and drugs for opportunistic infections in the context of the international law.

RECOMMENDATIONS: WHO/AFRO should provide support to countries of interest for the implementation of technology transfer with special emphasis on institutional capacity building and technical assistance at country level.

Keywords: AEGIS, Anti-HIV Agents, HIV Infections, Africa, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Cooperative Behavior, HIV Seropositivity, Developing Countries, Pharmaceutical Preparations, World Health, Politics, Drug Costs, Drugs, Generic, Research Support, World Health Organization, India, Thailand, Brazil, economics

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ThOrE1422