Brazil's Drug Copying Industry

[dArKeR]

Inside a laboratory in Brazil's coffee- growing region, scientists painstakingly replicate brand name drugs and oversee mass production of cheap copies to treat ailments ranging from Parkinson's Disease to AIDS.

In three decades, Laboratorio Cristalia has grown from a tiny company making one cloned anti-hyperactivity medication to a firm with 1,200 workers churning out 150 drugs, illustrating the exponential growth of the generic drug industry in countries like Brazil and India.

Now Cristalia and its competitors are trying to figure out how to profit from the World Trade Organization's recent agreement allowing impoverished nations to bypass big pharmaceutical companies and import copied patented medicines to fight killer diseases.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/09/25/health/main575168.shtml

Why hasn't Bush ordered the bombing of this foreign threat?

[Don_G]

1. The US Drug Co's Are Pricing Themselves Out Of Business

Illinois is trying to buy cheaper drugs from Canada, Mass and several other states are suing the drug companies for jacking up their rates to double and more the fair market price.

If this keeps up, then the drug companies can get rich buying and selling to each other while the rest of the world turns to 2nd and 3rd world countries as an affordable alternative.

MA AG Sues 13 Drug Cos: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAO2HFF1LD.html

[TolstoyAndy]

2. Go Brasil ! n/t

[Bozita]

3. Watch as "Laboratorio Cristalia" is googled over and over...

...as people try to figure out a way to eat AND have their prescription drugs.

How long will it be before the Bush administration warns consumers about mail-order prescriptions from Haiti?

[dArKeR]

4. Here's my personal experience: Got First 2 Hepatitis shot in the US

but was leaving before the time period waiting for the third, last shot. They cost me about US$300. While in Thailand it was time to get the last shot. (It's really a fun adventure going to hospital in Asia because everyone is so friendly and helpful.)

In a major hospital in Bangkok; the drug cost US$14. (I am 100% sure on the drug name, manufacturer... because I had written down all the data when I was in the US doctor's office because we knew I'd be overseas for the last shot.) The Thai doctor suggested I buy my own new needle just because I was a foreigner. (Normally they use reusable glass needles.) So I had to walk back over to the prescription counter and buy the plastic needle, 5 cents. Office visit cost me US3.

(Also, I bought the hepatitis drug myself at the drug counter too. And I carried it back to the doctor same as the needle.)

[Don_G]

7. The Pharmacies In Thailand Can Make A Profit

And not in the US? 13 Drug manufacturers are being sued in Mass and another one in Penn as of today (haven't checked the other states) plus HMO's and Nursing Homes are ripping off people.

How much longer will we allow this crap go on?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

5. Not against the law

When Brazilian law started recognizing pharmaceutical patents (after much lobbying from you-know-who) it was written on it only patents applied AFTER the date the law went into effect would be recognized.

AIDS drugs are another matter altogether -- it's a national health emergency.

[ozone_man]

6. What a great story. Those evil pharmaceutical companies ...

Another capitalistic blight on the planet.