A rally by hundreds of HIV/AIDS patients in New Delhi protested against the patenting of AIDS drugs. The main aim of this rally was to stop ‘patenting of AIDS drugs’. These protesters believe that patenting of AIDS drugs would make their situation more miserable. Expressing their deep concern about the patenting of AIDS drugs, a HIV affected protestor, Senthil Kumar said, ‘We are undergoing HIV/AIDS treatment and the second line of drugs, which go up to 15000-20000 rupees, we cannot afford them. We hardly earn 1000-2000 rupees.’
I think the concern of these protesters is not without any reason, however, it does have a strong base because it is quite likely that patenting of such drugs would higher up their costs, which these people would fail to bear. Moreover, it would further exacerbate their physical as well economical condition.
Via: Daily India