GLOBAL 3000 - Indian Generics: the pharmacy for developing countries - 01.12.2008

Until 2005 India did not grant patents for AIDS treatments. Instead, Delhi promoted the production of cheaper copies - generics. It was only when India joined the WTO that it had to stick to international norms on patent protection. The country has acted as a sort of pharmacy for developing countries needing to buy cheaper meds. But Indian AIDS patients have access only to the cheaper first-generation medications. Unfortunately, the virus grows resistant and patients need to switch to second- and third-generation drugs.