Sources Speak

1. Developing countries that produce lower cost generics and attempt to bring down the price of medicines feel that they are under pressure from industrialized countries and the multinational pharmaceutical industry and tend to be reluctant to make the most of these provisions: “Following the Doha Declaration countries can legally set patents aside, but countries are hesitant to do so because they are afraid of provoking the anger of the United States. The political pressure is enormous,” says’ Hoen: “I am worried that things will have to get a lot worse before countries make a move to ensure production through compulsory licenses.”

2. The Maputo factory experience also suggests that local factories may be able to produce at competitive prices with the help of government and international cooperation subsidies. It also appears to show that a publicly owned pharmaceutical factory in LMIC would be able to generate information-related public benefits that are often ignored by the traditional arguments around local production of medicines; a public factory may enable government to regulate by participating in the pharmaceutical market, feeding back vital information on drug efficacy, costs and players conduct.

1. There is an ability for countries to produce low cost generics; publicly owned pharmaceutical companies allow for the government to come in and become more involved. The government becoming involved leads to advances being made with the generics.

2. The Doha Declaration gives countries the ability to set patents aside, but many countries are hesitant to make their own generics. Some countries are politically pressured to not make these generics, because it would drive the costs down the overall revenue of multinational pharmaceutical companies.

3. The government involved with a public factory can help to provide information and feedback to the public factory. There is significant political pressure on these governments to not become involved in the public factories.

The Doha Declaration gives countries the ability to set patents aside, but many countries are hesitant to make their own generics. Some countries are politically pressured to not make these generics, because it would drive the costs down the overall revenue of multinational pharmaceutical companies. The generics are being created to bring affordable, lifesaving drugs to people.  Countries who do make the generic medications, are not breaking any laws and they are saving lives.