Will compulsory licences improve treatment for patients? The case of Thailand

Thailand has issued three compulsory licenses for western-owned drugs. However, these will not significantly improve healthcare due to the weakness of Thailand's health infrastructure, and could undermine treatment of AIDS patients by accelerating drug resistance.

Moreover, these licenses put extreme pressure on the delicate commercial pricing strategies that allow quality AIDS therapies to be sold at marginal cost or even donated to African countries.

Thailand has issued three compulsory licenses for western-owned drugs. however, these will not significantly improve healthcare due to the weakness of Thailand's health infrastructure, and could undermine treatment of AIDS patients by accelerating drug resistance.

Moreover, these licenses put extreme pressure on the delicate commercial pricing strategies that allow quality AIDS therapies to be sold at marginal cost or even donated to African countries.