India should continue its efforts to make drugs affordable to the masses. At no point of time should India dilute its stand when MNC lobbies pressurize to stop it from manufacturing essential drugs to poor patients, according to William F Haddad, a US based industrialist.

A strong advocate for the promotion of generics throughout the world, including the US, Haddad is also considered as the father of generics industry. He is the chairman of US-based Biogenerics US R&D Corporation, and is in India as a keynote speaker at a seminar organized by the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association titled "India - the problem or solution?" today in Mumbai.

Giving his views to Pharmabiz.com, Haddad said even though India will have to sign the WTO pact in 2005, it need not agree to the data exclusivity or exclusive marketing right as these points are not represented in the TRIPs agreement. India should try not to make any compromises over compulsory licenses. If not, the sufferers will be the poor of the world, warned Haddad.

"MNCs would play games under closed doors to deter India from making essential drugs available to poor patients. The whole developing world has pointed its sights on India. If India fails here, the whole world would be the sufferer," cautioned Haddad.

He was very supportive of the work done by Cipla's chairman Yousuf Hamied to minimize the price of anti-AIDS drugs. "Dr Hamied's efforts have reduced the prices of anti-retroviral drugs at $ 140 per patient from a three year ago price of $ 14,000 as a result of which two million people are saved from the dreaded disease compared to yesterday's 20,000," he said.

"The talk of the MNCs shying away from India if the latter did not act right is not true. MNCs are investing in the country for its benefits. They are not making any favor on it. India is not a rich country. Thousands of poor die every day for want of medicines. Politicians should carefully frame laws and not be lured away by the promises from MNCs," said Haddad.

"The MNCs should not use patents as a tool for profiteering through monopoly. We would like MNCs to accept compulsory licensing of life saving medicines and licensing of essential medicines, even when the product is under patent. They can charge a royalty of 5 per cent from companies marketing the drugs. I would assure you that in the end, the patent holders' expenditure would not only be compensated, he will start making profits and the public in general and the poor in particular would be benefited," said N H Israni, former president, IDMA.