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Article: A New Kind of Drug War; Bangkok leads a revolt by middle-class nations against Big Pharma and its high-priced drugs.
- Article from:
- Newsweek International
- Article date:
- April 9, 2007
- Author:
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Byline: GEORGE WEHRFRITZ (With MARITES VITUG in Manila)
Thailand's ruling junta has earned a reputation for ineptitude since it seized power in September. But the generals are now winning points worldwide for an attack on pharmaceutical giants like Merck, Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb. By invoking vague World Trade Organization rules that allow governments to void drug patents during public- health emergencies, Bangkok has since November approved generic production of two popular anti-AIDS drugs and one blood thinner, slashing their cost to patients by up to 90 percent. Bangkok is now urging companies to begin discounting other drugs; Health Minister ...