INDIA AFFORDABLE MEDICINES AND TREATMENT CAMPAIGN
27 November 2001
OPEN LETTER
LAUNCH OF THE AFFORDABLE MEDICINES AND TREATMENT CAMPAIGN
Prices of New Medicines in India are going to rise!
YOU CAN PREVENT THIS..!!!!
Dear All,
Indian law will soon undergo change because India has signed the international agreement on Trade Related Intellectual Property (TRIPS). This change will have a huge impact on the Indian patent law, which protects the invention of new products. The ëprocess patentí system used in India so far will be replaced by a more restrictive ëproduct patentí system.
The impact of this change on new medicines is unimaginable! Foreign pharmaceutical companies will have sole rights to determine the production, distribution, pricing and, therefore, availability of new medicines. It is feared that such a situation will raise the prices of new medicines to amounts that are unaffordable to most Indians.
We wish to introduce you to a NATION WIDE CAMPAIGN ON AFFORDABLE MEDICINES AND TREATMENT for all. Many people in this country do not have access to medical treatment at present prices. The idea of prices of new medicines being several times more expensive is surely unthinkable.
This is an issue that will have a grave and far-reaching impact on the right to life and health of all Indians and requires immediate action by the Indian Government. Since the Indian Government has not responded to this urgent issue, we as citizens of India who have to face the eventual impact of TRIPS should ACT NOW!
This campaign plans to lay special emphasis on access to HIV/AIDS medicines for opportunistic infections (OIs) and Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART). People with HIV/AIDS can prolong their lives with the help of these medicines, which are already very expensive (minimum Rs.1800 per month for ART). New medicines for the treatment of HIV/AIDS are going to be even more expensive. If we do not stand up against TRIPS now, many more lives will be lost to this epidemic.
We must create public awareness and mobilisation. This issue concerns all of us and must be confronted by a mass and unified effort. NGOs, doctors and HIV positive peoples groups across the country have joined hands to launch this campaign. It will focus on the accessibility of affordable medicines for all as a fundamental human right that is enshrined in the Indian Constitution under the right to life and health.
This campaign will be formally launched on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2001. Groups and organisations in Delhi are planning a public meeting and candle light vigil demanding Affordable Medicines and Treatment for all. Please find attached an invitation for this program. We would be grateful if you could display the same at prominent places and also extend the invitation to as many people and groups as you can.
In advancing this campaign we need to reach out to as many individuals and organisations as we can to create awareness on the issue. We invite you to participate in this joint initiative. It is very easy to join the campaign, all you have to do is write back to us on this address for further information.
In order to create greater awareness on the campaign, a mission statement, a leaflet, a flyer and a signature campaign form have been prepared. these are being readied for dissemination. Please, find, however, the mission statement of the campaign attached.
The following individuals and organisations, who have come together in initiating this campaign, welcome and anticipate your support:
Delhi: Dr. Bitra George (Salaam Baalak Trust/Sharan), Shaleen Rakesh (Naz Foundation India), Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+), Dr. V. J. Anand (Maulana Azad Medical College), Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit. Manipur: Manipur Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Care Foundation. Mumbai: Maharashtra Network of Positive People (MNP+), Swayam Siddha Sanghatana (SSS); Population Services International (PSI), Raghav Narsalay (Focus on Global South India), Dr. Nagesh Shirgoppikar (Forum Against Drugs), Tony Lewis (Salvation Army), Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit, Dr. Maninder Sethia, Denzil McDonald; James D.D. Pune: Network of Maharashtra for Positive People (NMP+) Goa: Positive People Goa. Hyderabad: Rahul Luther (Freedom Foundation). Bangalore: Ashok Rau (Freedom Foundation), Meera Levine (Alternative Law Forum), Karnataka Network of Positive People (KNP+); Sanghamitra Iyengar (Samrakasha). Chennai: Indian Network of Positive People (INP+); Dr. Tokugha Yepthomi(YRG Care), Chitra Narayan, Advocate. Trivandrum: Dr. Jaysree (Foundation for Integrated Research in Mental Health).
Thank You,
AFFORDABLE MEDICINES AND TREATMENT CAMPAIGN