President of Indonesia signs decree for use of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis drugs

Published on Monday, 03 September 2012 08:11

On 3 September 2012, the government of Indonesia took an important step to expand access to medicines and help save and improve lives of people living with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B. The President of Indonesia signed a decree authorizing government use of patents for seven HIV/AIDS and hepatitis medicines. This measure could lead to widespread generic competition and generate major cost savings in the world’s fourth most populous country. The decree represents one of the most robust uses of public health related TRIPS flexibilities by a country since the World Trade Organization 1995 Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property came into force.