AFFORDABLE MEDICINES FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD

That this House notes with concern that the European company Novartis, the makers of the anti-leukaemia drug Glivec, has brought a case against the Indian government to prevent manufacturers of generic medicines from producing low-cost copies of that drug; further notes that the generic medicines produced in India are essential treatments for many people in the developing world, especially those living with HIV/AIDS, and that millions of people rely on drugs produced in India for affordable medicines; and therefore urges Novartis to withdraw its action.