India Hails UN Approval of Generic AIDS Drugs as a Step Forward

The Indian drug industry hailed the UN's list this week of approved AIDS drug makers, saying the inclusion of an Indian generic manufacturer will help make accepted AIDS treatments cheaper and help fight the epidemic in poor countries. "There is now hope for the millions of AIDS victims in Africa," said N. B. Zaveri, a patent expert at the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday issued a list of companies producing AIDS drugs that met its criteria for quality. The list included Cipla, an Indian manufacturer that sells generic AIDS drugs several times cheaper than patented versions. Cipla Chairman Yusuf K. Hamied said the UN decision should remove suspicions among consumers that generic drugs are not as good as those from patent-holding companies.

Cipla is one among a dozen companies in India that produce AIDS drugs using techniques different from those of patent- holders. This is legal in India, which recognizes patents on drug-making processes rather than on the products.

The WHO announcement drew criticism from the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations, which said the decision might reduce the quality of treatment in poor countries and lead to widespread drug resistance. Many developing countries have patent laws that prevent them from buying cheaper generic drugs, but are pushing for more leeway when dealing with public health. Last year, Brazil and India pressured the World Trade Organization to allow governments to override patent laws during public health crises.

In Western nations, AIDS treatments can often cost a patient more than $10,000 annually. Although the prices are much lower in developing countries, aid groups and governments claim they are still beyond the reach of most people. Cipla said last year it planned to sell drugs to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) at $350 per year per patient.

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