4 replies to this topic

[Sexpat]

"The United States' decision to keep Thailand as one of nine countries on its watch list due to concerns over intellectual property rights problems has angered activists, who say Washington is protecting pharmaceutical makers at the expense of better health for the Thai public.

The Office of the US Trade Representative is keeping the kingdom on its Priority Watch List because it is worried about its continuing policy on compulsory licensing, initiated by the previous government. The situation remains unchanged under the present administration.

''While the United States recognises the importance of Thailand's public health challenges, Thailand's recent policies and actions regarding the compulsory licensing of patented medicines have contributed to concerns regarding the adequate and effective protection of IPR in Thailand,'' the USTR said in a report released in Washington on Friday.

'The United States is awaiting further information on the new Thai government's approach in this area and hopes to work constructively on this and other IPR issues in order to strengthen Thailand's IPR regime,'' it added. The US said it wanted more action from Thai authorities to crack down on piracy. "

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/27Apr2008_news01.php

[DollyLamma]

Maybe the Thais would get more sympathy from the USA and EU on this issue if the Thais stopped spoon-feeding the military with submarines and jet fighters for billions, instead of spending more money on drugs needed for the health care for poor people. How can you spend 500 million baht on a single cremation, and then say you can't afford to buy medicines at world prices ? Something is really wrong with the priorities here, if you are going to claim poverty only when it comes to buying medicines for the poor.

[loeploh]

Lets talk about China instead of just Thailand a nation with just 60 mill.people.

In China they copy like if there is no tmrw.

Thailand is a dwarf compaired to China..

[Tuckerton]

Apparantly, "Caveat emptor" rules, and there seems not to be any means in place for consumers to seek retribution or compensation for damages and suffering due to products manufactured by foreign companies, no matter the country of origin be it Thailand, China, India, Russia, or Brazil.

[Tuckerton]

Good Grief Snowy! Are you suggesting that John Q. Public be responsible for keeping abreast of separating approved prescription drugs from counterfeited or diluted bogus products? In most “western countries there are laws AND regulating agencies that do that. Thailand should do the same!
Furthermore, that you state that consumers who don’t keep abreast of such technical matters DESERVE to suffer the consequences is daft, or maybe you are just suffering from menstrual cramps. (Buy some Midol an approved cheap over-the-counter fix for "The Curse."