Compulsory license for efavirenz in Thailand

6 December 2006. Related: Treatment access.

Thailand will issue a compulsory license for use by the government to improve access to efavirenz.

The price that patent holder Merck charges in Thailand (1,500 baht/month – US $41) is double that charged by Indian generic manufacturers (800baht/month – US $22)

The compulsory license will apply both to import and local production of the drug. The Thai Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) who manufacture antiretrovirals for use in Thailand is developing its own production of efavirenz which is scheduled begin next year.

In the meantime, the compulsory license will allow Thailand to import generic efavirenz from India.

Thai activists and MSF welcome this development.