Tha-ing Pharma Down
Thailand's government took the rare and damaging step of overriding patents on key Western medicines for HIV/AIDs and heart disease last week. Bangkok will start using cheaper copies of the drugs and label them generic equivalents. The move was celebrated by AIDS activists and non-governmental organizations, one of whom characterized it as world war three. But Thai patients are sure to lose in this war, as might western pharmaceutical companies. The only winner will be Thailand's historically corrupt Government Pharmaceutical Organization, or GPO, the state-owned pharmaceutical monopoly.
Interesting how the Thai government is driving foreigners out of the Thai economy while simultaneously stealing their intellectual property.
Seriously, how long will the Western countries allow this bullshit to continue?
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