Roche Open to Discuss Patent Rights of AIDS Drug With Brazil

Roche Holding announced on Friday that it would be willing to confer with Brazil and with international trade organizations about the patent rights for its AIDS drug nelfinavir, following a threat from the nation that it would begin allowing generic firms to produce the drug if prices were not reduced. A Roche spokesman said that the firm believes there is a need to explore, with the help of trade experts, the international patent rights and under what circumstances a country may overrule those rights. The United States has brought Brazil's anti-AIDS program and its threat to the World Trade Organization, which will determine whether Brazil must amend its legislation.

Other CDC News for February 12, 2001
Gates Gives Booster Shot to AIDS Vaccines Brazil May Flout Trade Laws to Keep AIDS Drugs Free for Patients Roche Open to Discuss Patent Rights of AIDS Drug With Brazil Advertisement Charity Pleads for Cheap AIDS Drugs Patents	Undeterred by a Monster; Secrecy and Stigma Keep AIDS Risk High for Gay Black Men Protein in Placentas Said to Block AIDS Vatican to Give $475,000 to Uganda's AIDS Orphans Thousands Petition to Have AIDS-Awareness Classes in Schools