India and the European Union are about to conclude negotiations for a free
trade agreement.
This agreement poses a threat to the production in India of generic drugs
and their export to developing countries. 92% of HIV/AIDS patients in the
developing world depend on generic drugs that mostly come from India.
The EU can’t sacrifice the life of millions of people living with HIV for
commercial interests.
Over 80% of the antiretroviral drugs that MSF uses in its AIDS projects
throughout the world are produced in India, dubbed the ‘pharmacy of the
developing world’.
If this agreement were to be signed as it now stands, the consequences for
access to medicines would be dramatic, and could shut down production of
generic drugs in India – leaving millions of patients without treatment.
Médecins Sans Frontières is holding a press conference in Brussels.
WHEN? Monday April 26, at 11 a.m.
WHERE? Palace Residence, International Press Centre, 155 rue de la Loi,
Bloc C, 1040 Brussels
Spokespersons
Loon Gangte, President of the Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+)
Michelle Childs, Director of Policy and Advocacy, MSF Campaign for Access
to Essential Medicines
Ariane Bauernfeind, MSF HIV/AIDS programme manager for projects in South
Africa, Malawi and Lesotho
For additional information, please contact the press service at 0032
475.40.60.76 or at 0041 79 203 13 02.
Alexandra Heumber
EU & IP Policy Adviser
Médecins Sans Frontières
Access to Essential Medicines Campaign
Rue Dupré, 94. 1090 Brussels
++32 (0) 2 474 75 09 (Dir off)
++ 32 (0) 479 514 900 (Mob)
++ 32 (0) 2 474 75 75 (Fax)
www.msfaccess.org
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