Thailand has been warned by the European Commission against moves to force drugmakers to drop prices for poor patients or lose sales, adding to US pressure over patent protection. Peter Mandelson, the trade commissioner, has written to Bangkok to protest against its consideration of a broad use of compulsory licences, which would allow it to import cheaper generic versions of branded medicines produced by western companies...Thailand has yet to reply to Brussels, but has denied these charges in the past. "It took the Thai Ministry of Public Health more than two years, including discussions with pharmaceutical companies, before it made its final decision," the foreign ministry said in May. The cheap drugs were only available through its public health system, covering 48m poor Thais, it added...The pioneering approach of Mongkol Na Songkhla, health minister, has won praise from the United Nations as well as health campaigners such as Médecins Sans Frontières and Oxfam. Mr Mandelson's tough language will antagonise the European parliament. His letter was written in July just days before MEPs from all parties called on the EU to back more flexible compulsory licensing rules at the WTO. [refers to Sanofi-Aventis]