Is the U.S. interfering with drug access in other nations?
Brazil passed a law greatly reducing access to locally produced versions of patented drugs. This happened under direct pressure from the Clinton/Gore administration. Even though Brazil’s constitution guarantees access to drugs, the Health Budget was broken by the new, high costs of medications. Many people with HIV, as well as other illnesses, who were receiving therapy, were suddenly left without drugs. Other countries that parallel-imported drugs from Brazil have suffered from the Clinton/Gore push as well. On August 26, activists asked the Minster of Health to restart Compulsory Licensing as a way out. One week later, hundreds of demonstrators marched in three cities in Brazil demanding life saving medication. The Administration has taken the wrong side in struggles around access to essential medicines in Thailand, India, and Argentina as well. Q: Drug companies say that medicines are priced so high because that is the only way to pay for research and development of new medicine. If
