People Before Patents: Novartis Press Teleconference

On Friday, January 26, 2007, MSF held a press teleconference titled "People Before Patents," to brief members of the media on a legal challenge to India's patent law brought by the Swiss-based pharmaceutical company Novartis. A victory for Novartis will mean restricted access to affordable generic medicines in MSF projects and throughout the developing world. India is a major source of affordable medicines, including antiretrovirals (ARVs) to treat people living with HIV/AIDS.

Listen to the teleconference here:

Audio segment 1: Participants' prepared remarks (4 MB)
Audio segment 2: Q&A (5 MB)

Read the transcript of the teleconference [152 K]

Teleconference participants:

• Unni Karunakara, MD, Medical Director, Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
• Ellen 't Hoen, LLM, Policy and Advocacy Director, Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
• Loon Gangte, Regional Coordinator, South Asia Collaborative Fund for HIV Treatment Preparedness (formerly from Delhi Network of Positive People)
• Christine Genevier, Head of Mission for MSF's AIDS Treatment Programs in Kenya