2023-09-20 18:47:55
He Medicine and innovation advisor of Doctors Without Borders, Francisco Viegas, spoke regarding the decision to subject medicines for the treatment of HIV to patents to compulsory license, the retroviral dolutegravir.
In dialogue with RCN Radiothe expert noted that “it is important for patients who are undergoing HIV treatment, The main barrier for pharmaceutical industries is high costs. We operate in several countries and we cannot offer it It not only happens in Colombia, but in Latin America due to high rates of this type of infection. It is quite important to have broader access for patients, adding that patients use it for their protection,” Viegas said.
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After this decision by the Ministry of Health, there is hope for the population with access to this medicine. “This will help to prevent the spread of infection. This will help patients’ finances, since generic medicines are cheaper by 90% Only the brand price per unit exceeds 400 thousand pesos“, he pointed.
The expert added that It is a medicine endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), and that it does not contain secondary consequences.
“This would be Colombia’s first achievement, in prioritizing access to this medication for the population with HIV“he explained.
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For now, the Ministry of Health is in the first stage legally so that the medicine can enter officially.
“The patent office in Colombia is in the process, following having the legal effects and obtaining the generics. This process can last, it depends on media pressure and public interest, so that this process is not slowed down,” he concluded.
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