Nearly a year has gone by since several Chilean lawmakers asked the government to make it possible to issue compulsory licenses for prescription drugs, but no action was taken. Now, more than two dozen advocacy groups from around the world are pressing the health ministry to proceed.
Last January, the lower house of the Chilean congress passed a resolution instructing the government to make it possible to issue compulsory licenses for prescription drugs. A few weeks later, several lawmakers asked Chilean health minister Carmen Castillo Taucher to issue compulsory licenses for the Xtandi prostate cancer therapy and several hepatitis C medicines sold by Gilead Sciences (GILD).
About the Author Reprints
