Taiwan to ignore flu drug patent

[IChing]

Taiwan says it is making its own version of the best-selling antiviral drug Tamiflu, whether its original manufacturers agree or not.

The authorities say they still hope talks with the Swiss-based pharmaceutical giant Roche will bear fruit, but that the priority is to protect the public from the worst effects of bird flu.
The drug will not be marketed commercially, but will be held by the Government in the event of any major outbreak of bird flu.

Tamiflu cannot cure bird flu, but is widely seen as the best antiviral drug to fight it.
Bird flu has killed at least 60 people in Asia since December 2003.

Scientists fear the lethal H5N1 strain of the virus could combine with human flu or mutate into a form that is easily transmissible between humans, triggering a flu pandemic.

Several countries have asked Roche for the right to make generic copies of Tamiflu.

>>>>snip
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200510/s1488398.htm
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good for them, I have no problems with this

[dkofos]

1. Good for them

The US needs to look after the health and well being of it's citizens first.

[IChing]

2. The US needs to look after the health and well being of it's citizens

Are you kidding that would mean they would have to follow the constitution?

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare (of the corporations), and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

[depakid]

3. I hope this is the start of a trend

Intellectual property laws have become some of the most abusive laws on the books- causing economic and social harms far beyond any of the benefits that they were designed to encourage.

It's long past time for reform- but it'll take more things like this to open peoples' eyes and get enough support to crack down on the corporate parasites and bring some balance back into the equation.

[IChing]

5. Countries ready to ignore patent on bird-flu vaccine-here is a list/story

Thailand has announced its intentions to do just that, and
India-based Cipla Ltd. said it would be ready to ship generics next year, though it said Tuesday that it would seek a license from Roche.
And now
Taiwan

from:Countries ready to ignore patent on bird-flu vaccine
http://www.nwherald.com/MainSection/local/359672971469977.php

[lovuian]

4. These drug companies need to get a WAKE UP call!!!

These countries WILL make the flu vaccine without Roche!!!

[IChing]

6. kick now brazil might join these rebels

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=globalNews&storyID=2005-10-19T010807Z_01_SCH904040_RTRUKOC_0_US-BIRDFLU-BRAZIL.xml&archived=False

[Name removed]

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[Rainscents]

8. It's looks like, Roche is going to dig real deep in their pockets to cough

up LOTS of money to fight this! Which, I doubt, they will... It will cost billions of dollars in the court battle with other countries and in the end, Roche will lose and they'll be in the hole and possibility of filing for bankruptcy!!! I can't wait to see what Roche will do. Hehehe

[Name removed]

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