abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

12 May 2016

Author:
Ed Silverman at Pharmalot

Colombia: Govt. “sidesteps" Novartis’ patent over access to cancer drug, US reportedly intervenes in support of Novartis; includes company statement

“Colombian health minister is warned not to sidestep Novartis patent”

The Colombian health minister was warned directly last month by Colombian Embassy officials in Washington D.C. to reconsider plans to sidestep a Novartis drug patent over concerns the US government would rethink its support for a peace initiative and trade treaty, according to a newly disclosed letter…The warning was one of two missives sent…by the Colombian Embassy just days after Health Minister Alejandro Gaviria indicated he may issue a so-called compulsory license, which would allow a generic company  to make a lower-cost version of the Gleevec leukemia treatment…The issue over the Novartis patent in Colombia, however, also shows signs of becoming a heated diplomatic dispute…For its part, Novartis has maintained that compulsory licenses should not be used as a mechanism to force price negotiations and argued that “damaging” precedents could be set. The company also insisted that the price for Gleevec in Colombia is subject to government controls and that generics are available in the country, although patient groups argue that Novartis has thwarted generic availability.