Lula OKs bypass of Merck patent
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took steps to let Brazil buy or produce an inexpensive generic version of an AIDS drug made by Merck despite the U.S. company’s patent.
Silva issued a “compulsory license” that would bypass the patent on the drug efavirenz, a day after the Brazilian government rejected Merck’s offer to sell the drug at a 30% discount, for $1.10 per pill instead of $1.57.
The country was seeking to purchase the drug at 65 cents a pill, the price Thailand pays.
It was the first time Brazil has bypassed a patent.
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