UPDATE: Argentina, Brazil Question Swine Flu Vaccine Patents
25 July 2009 - 3:56AM
Dow Jones News
The presidents of Argentina and Brazil Friday suggested that
developing countries be allowed to lift patent rights so they can
produce more vaccines to battle the A/H1N1 swine flu epidemic.
In a speech at a regional Mercosur leaders summit in Paraguay,
Argentine Cristina Fernandez said changing the status quo "does not
mean disavowing the patents law," according to a report by the
state news agency Telam.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva proposed that
leaders discuss breaking the patents law to help contain the
epidemic, according to a report by Brazil's state news agency
Agencia Brasil.
The news agency also said Brazilian Health Minister Jose Gomes
Temporao is negotiating with all vaccine producers to boost the
vaccine's availability.
"Brazil is willing to defend the health security of its
population," the minister was quoted as saying.
Brazil has been adept in recent years at getting pharmaceutical
companies to offer discounts on HIV medication. In 2007 the
government issued a compulsory license to break the patent on an
anti-retroviral AIDS drug made by U.S. pharmaceutical giant Merck
& Co. (MRK).
Argentina's Fernandez, meanwhile, said leaders to work "to lift
patent rights and that way allow a vaccine to offer solutions for
millions of people."
Fernandez said Argentina and Brazil both have highly developed
pharmaceutical industries and should be able to produce vaccine
"that wouldn't be free."
"But," Fernandez added, "it's beyond question that we're
confronting a situation in which the needs of millions of people
cannot be subordinated to economic interests."
Mercosur is a regional customs union founded by Argentina,
Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
- By Taos Turner, Dow Jones Newswires; 5411-4103-6728;
taos.turner@dowjones.com