The global health impact of Indian FTAs with the European Union and Japan http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=16951

We the undersigned wish to take this opportunity to raise our serious concerns regarding the Government of India’s on-going discussions with both the European Union and Japan on bi-lateral Free Trade Agreements and the impact this may have on continued and future access to lifesaving medicines produced by Indian pharmaceutical companies.

At the moment millions of men, women and children worldwide are dependent for the present and future health and well-being on the low cost, quality medicines produced in India. In particular millions of people with HIV are able to lead a healthy life thanks to the antiretroviral drugs produced in India. These drugs are purchased by governments, non-governmental organizations and other agencies for use in treatment programmes in Africa, Asia and South America.

For example 67 % of medicines exports from India go to developing countries and 92% of HIV/AIDS patients in low and middle income countries use generic antiretroviral drugs mostly coming from India. Approximately 50% of the essential medicines that UNICEF distributes in developing countries and 80% of all medicines distributed by the International Dispensary Association (IDA) are manufactured in India. Lesotho, buys nearly 95% of all ARVs from India and in Zimbabwe, 75% of tenders for medicines for all public sector health facilities are from India.