Brazil moves towards generic AIDS drugs

Brazil’s government took a huge step in providing generic drugs for its AIDS treatment program by breaking the patent held by drug manufacturer Merck. The move came after Merck refused the government’s request to lower the price of their medicine.

Brazil’s AIDS treatment program has been “internationally renowned” and provides free treatment to over 100,000 people. Though several Latin American nations and drug manufacturers came to a 2005 agreement on the cost of AIDS medicines, Brazil has continued to seek lower prices for drugs.

Image- Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Links- Scientific American, Bloomberg, BBC News, Christian Science Monitor