Jan 29, 2007
N. Parthasarathi
Ambassador
Indian Embassy in Seoul
37-3, Hannam-Dong Yongsan-ku,
Seoul, South Korea
Re : The Norvatis’ legal action in India on the Patent Law
Dear Ambassador N. Parthasarathi
On behalf of the 27 Korean NGOs, Trade Unions, I am writing to express our concerns regarding the legal proceedings that Norvatis initiated in India in May 2006, challenging the rejection of its patent application for imatinib mesylate (Gleevec/Glivec) as well as questioning the compliance of the Indian Patents Act with the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights(TRIPS).
This action contradicts the WTO Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health that states that “…the Agreement can and should be interpreted and implemented in a manner supportive of WTO Members’ right to protect public health and, in particular, to promote access to medicines for all”
The same declaration allows countries to take measures to protect public health.
But Norvatis is challenging a public health safeguard enshrined within India’s Patents Act. This would have a devastating impact on people around the world who rely on affordable medicines manufactured in India.
So patients and healthcare groups around the world are watching carefully this case and the next steps the Indian government will take.
Therefore we are requesting your government not to allow multinational drug companies to improperly extend their monopolies, which result in higher price of important medicines out of reach for the majority of Indians and the patients in the developing countries.
We will fight with you against the greed of multinational companies.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards,
Endorsed by :
Consolidation for Medical Consumer
Democratic Labor Party
Health Right Network
Intellectual Property Left
Korean Confederation of Trade Unions
Korean Federation of Medical Groups for Health Rights (KFHR)
Association of Korea Doctors for Health Rights
Association of Physicians for Humanism
Korea Dentists Association for Health Society
Korea Health and Medical Workers Union
Korean Pharmacists for Democratic Society
Korean Health & Medical Workers’ Union
Korean Progressive Network Jinbonet
Korean Social Insurance Union
Lesbian Counseling Center in South Korea
Nanuri+, HIV/AIDS Human Rights Advocacy Group of Korea
Korean Gay Men’s Human Rights Group
Public Pharmaceutical Center
Sarangbang, Group for Human Rights
Solidarity for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Human Rights of Korea
Patient Group Combination for Patient Right
Korea ankylosing Spondylitis
Korea Encephaloma Patient Group
Korea GIST Patient Group
Korea Leukemia Patient Group
Korea RCC Patient Group
People’s Solidarity for Social Progress
2007-01-28
