Compulsory licensing in Thailand

Date

2008

Authors

Mann, Simran

Journal Title

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Volume Title

Publisher

Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers

Abstract

The government of Thailand instituted compulsory licenses on several types of cardiovascular disease and antiretroviral medications in 2006. This report focuses on the debate of compulsory licensing for these drugs and whether the Thai government is justified in this policy implementation. The research finds that the compulsory licensing policy adopted by the Thai government is not justified due to the following arguments: a) Thailand’s health expenditure is among the lowest, b) the country is in a strong economic position to afford western medicines, c) Thailand has high tariffs on pharmaceutical imports, d) the GPO generates millions in profit and produces low-quality generic versions, e) international pharmaceutical companies have revolutionized health care by developing safe drugs for global diseases, and f) there are alternative approaches other than compulsory licenses that could be employed.

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Citation

Mann, S. (2008). Compulsory licensing in Thailand. Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 1, 38–46. https://business.journals.uvic.ca/index.php/bcomrp/article/view/93