Novartis ‘denies generic drug access’

Novartis are denying people in developing countries access to affordable generic drugs, a leading charity has claimed.

Oxfam International and Swiss non-governmental organisation Bern Declaration have organised a protest at the headquarters of the pharmaceutical company to criticise the limiting of access to cheaper generics, specifically in India.

Novartis has contested legislation in India that allows local companies to market generic equivalents of Glivec, a cancer drug for which Novartis holds the patent. Oxfam International claims that this action could have wider ramifications to the generic export industry in the country, noting that 67 per cent of India’s exports in generic medicines are to developing countries.

Julien Reinhard, director of the health campaign at Bern Declaration, said: “Access to medicines in developing countries relies primarily on affordable generic versions of patented medicines.

“Novartis’ court action directly threatens the ability for developing countries to access these medicines for their people.”

Last week, Oxfam published a report entitled Patents vs Patients: Five Years After the Doha Declaration, a study marking a half-decade since the commitment signed by world leaders to make health a priority over profits.

The charity claimed that leading countries had “broken the spirit” of the declaration made five years ago.