To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the decision by the government of Thailand to issue a compulsory licence for Efavirenz. (105317)

DFID welcomes countries’ efforts to use the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) flexibilities and compulsory licensing in order to improve access to medicines.

In this particular case, Efavirenz patent-holder Merck says that it has not been consulted over licensing and that the Royal Thai Government have not followed the correct procedure. Merck has requested a meeting with the Royal Thai Government in an attempt to resolve the issue.