P.T. Jyothi Datta

Mumbai , March 21

"I HAVE lost family members to HIV/AIDS. But today, I can pay for the treatment of four people with the illness, because of the arrival of cheap medicines from India.

"If India brings in the new law on patents, many people will have to stop treatment or be forced to reverse to more expensive medicines," says Mr Tendayi Kureya from Zimbabwe.

Mr Kureya along with health advocates for HIV/AIDS patients from across the world have gathered in Mumbai to plead with the Indian Government not to push the patents Ordinance to become a law in the current form.

"India will not be defaulting on its commitment to the World Trade Organisation.

"All we needed to do is to bring in product patents through a minimal amendment in the existing Patents (Amendment) Bill. The other changes proposed in the Bill need to be passed only after a debate," points out Mr Anand Grover of the Affordable Medicines and Treatment Campaign.

With the Bill slated to come up in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, these representatives are set to intensify their efforts by meeting several political parties in the Capital.

Mr Kureya, who is with Zimbabwe's Pan-African Treatment Access Movement, elaborates on the significant role that Indian AIDS drugs have played in the lives of people living with the illness in African countries.

"India is the world's major provider of affordable AIDS medicines, 50 per cent of people in developing countries taking anti-retrovirals (anti-AIDS drugs) rely on Indian production.

"Around the world we have looked to India's leadership on many issues.

"It saddens me that today, India may abandon people with AIDS who need affordable drugs to survive," he said.

Ms Ellen `t Hoen with Medicins Sans Frontieres told Business Line that it was an "over-reaction" to think that the Indian image will suffer globally, if the Patents (Amendment) Bill is not implemented immediately.

It will be accepted internationally if the country is discussing the issue in a democratic way, in the interest of access to medicines, she said.

In fact, says Dr Y.K. Sapru from the Cancer Patient Aid Association, "If the Government does go through with the Bill in its current form, we will take action against it."

Further, he pointed out: "I am seeing our patients die because when production of the new drug for leukaemia was restricted to only one producer (through an exclusive marketing right), the price jumped 10 times and suddenly this life-saving drug was no longer available.

"For those who tell us the Patent Act is good for India, I say it is only if you are healthy. If you are sick, the Patent Act will increase drug costs, and is already costing Indians their lives."

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu Business Line