Thailand Expats

Capt. Fantastic · #1 14-03-2007, 23:17

Has anyone been following the current intellectual property events? Seems that in response to the government's attempts to confiscate drug patents, Abbott Laboratories has decided not to market new medicines in the LOS.

This should be of more than passing concern to those currently of sound body. Consider a major flu outbreak. In that event one Dr. Suwit Wibulpolprasert, Thai representative to the World Health Organization, has proposed holding Western tourists hostage until Bangkok receives flu vaccines.

Thoughts? What sort of precautions can be taken? One more incentive to get off the tourist visa treadmill.

faultytowers · #2 15-03-2007, 00:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Fantastic

Seems that in response to the government's attempts to confiscate drug patents, Abbott Laboratories has decided not to market new medicines in the LOS.

In that event one Dr. Suwit Wibulpolprasert, Thai representative to the World Health Organization, has proposed holding Western tourists hostage until Bangkok receives flu vaccines.

Any links to where these artcles were published ??.

Captain · #3 15-03-2007, 00:33

Looks like more Fantasy than Fantastic. How would they succeed in doing this? After less than a few hours they would get respons from US, European Union, maybe China, Russia...
All their biggest tourist origins and trade partners.
Nice way of shooting in your own foot.

Capt. Fantastic, didn't you post some luny story about Iraq earlier???

Capt. Fantastic · #4 15-03-2007, 00:52

This is hardly out of the blue. The WSJ has been covering the issue in depth. Pay site, no links. But I will quote one sentence from today's article:

"In January, Thailand's Ministry of Public Health announced it would issue 'compulsory licenses' for medications produced by Abbott and Sanofi-Aventis..."

"Luny (sic) story?" Nice that we keep this discussion out of the gutter. And by responding I ensure that the thread will morph into another "Bush Lied/People Died" screed.

Notwithstanding, you might find this link of interest. Not that you will buy the author's points but perhaps you could start a new thread to vent?

I personally am interested in the topic on which I originally posted.

faultytowers · #5 15-03-2007, 01:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Fantastic

But I will quote one sentence from today's article:

"In January, Thailand's Ministry of Public Health announced it would issue 'compulsory licenses' for medications produced by Abbott and Sanofi-Aventis..."

"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Fantastic

In that event one Dr. Suwit Wibulpolprasert, Thai representative to the World Health Organization, has proposed holding Western tourists hostage until Bangkok receives flu vaccines.

OK , "compulsory licenses" are one thing ( and not exactly confiscating drug patents) , and may 'possibly' be a legal method of dealing with some of the large drug companies.

But , that is quoted from the WSJ , I am more concerned about where your other statement came from , was it also a 'reliable' and mainstream newpaper/journal ??.

Capt. Fantastic · #6 15-03-2007, 01:29

Each, every, and all statements on the topic of Thailand's confiscation of intellectual property, made by me, originate in the Wall Street Journal.

I would love to post the articles but... I am a wimp, I guess. But certainly one can find today's WSJ in hardcopy somewhere? Or-- gasp!-- take out a trial subscription. I am not an accolyte to the WSJ viewpoint and in some areas I am in complete disagreement. But when it comes to business news they set the standard.

Not to be argumentative, but I fail to see a distinction between compulsary licenses and theft. The World Health Organization apparently condones such fiats during an emergency, however that is defined. And visions of The Poor suffering certainly pull the heart strings. But these wonder drug$ are only developed (at tremendous cost) with the expectation of profit. And to decide after the drugs are in use, that Profit Is Evil, sort of misses the point.

marc26 · #7 15-03-2007, 02:14

i read the article
it is the 1st reading on this subject
I didnt read anything about holding western tourists hostages

i just googled the story too
i would think Thailand is in the wrong
they already recieve a deep discount compared to Western countries

Capt. Fantastic · #8 15-03-2007, 02:15

The Thai Flu
Abbott Labs shows the price of trashing drug patents.

Located in the Opinions Section of the Wed, 14 March issue.

This is the latest article, there have been at least two prior.

Bushdoctor · #9 15-03-2007, 02:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain

Looks like more Fantasy than Fantastic. How would they succeed in doing this? After less than a few hours they would get respons from US, European Union, maybe China, Russia...
All their biggest tourist origins and trade partners.
Nice way of shooting in your own foot.

Capt. Fantastic, didn't you post some luny story about Iraq earlier???

What? Thailand shoot themselves in the foot? Again?

faultytowers · #10 15-03-2007, 03:36

OK , have found out a bit more about the topic but as far as I can see this was a matter discussed by the W.H.O and not purely a Thai matter. Also , I'd be interested to find out if there was anywhere that the quote "attributed" to Dr. Wibulpolpraset (re. Western tourist hostages) was actually 'in print'.

The link below is to the W.H.O report of the "Commission on intellectual Property Rights".

http://www.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_file..._16Add1-en.pdf

LivinLOS · #11 15-03-2007, 08:43

Its being discussed a lot on TV.. The minister concerned has made some real whacked out statements..

So many of these Thai 'politicals' just hit rock bottom and keep digging..