At Abbott Laboratories' annual shareholder meeting on Friday in Chicago, CEO Miles White told AIDS activists the company would stand by its decision not to register any newly developed drugs in Thailand.

White's comments were the latest in an ongoing battle with Thai officials over the pricing of Abbott's AIDS drug Kaletra and the country's decision to break the patent and import generic versions of it. Abbott responded by declining to register any new drugs in Thailand, including its new, non-refrigerated formulation of Kaletra.

AIDS activists termed Abbott's action "blackmail," saying withholding the new formula puts patients' health at risk.

"I think we've done a lot more than you give us credit for," White said in response to activists who attended the 1,400-person gathering. Abbott spent more than $300 million on humanitarian relief, patient-assistance programs, and AIDS-related programs last year, White said.

White suggested the Thai government is seeking to ignore patents on many drugs by issuing compulsory licenses under international law. "I do think there is a hidden agenda," he said. "I think the agenda is to set the precedent with compulsory licensing to compulsory license numerous drugs."

Seeking approval for non-refrigerated Kaletra would not make sense from a business standpoint, White said, asking: "Why would we submit" the new drug for approval if Thailand plans to make generic forms of patented Abbott drugs anyway?

Among the protestors attending the annual meeting was Jon Ungphakorn, a former Thai senator and longtime AIDS activist. He accused Abbott of holding drugs "for ransom," and turning Thai patients into "hostages."

Stockholders applauded White's comments and at times shouted down activists who lined up to protest Abbott's decision.

Back to other news for April 2007

Search the Newsroom archive