AFFORDABLE MEDICINES FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD

Early day motion 753, tabled 25 January 2007 by Baroness Featherstone (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 56 members.

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.

Signatures by party: Labour 24, Liberal Democrat 22, Conservative 5, DUP 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.