Colombia plans to issue a compulsory license on HIV treatment

The government of Colombia plans to overcome patent barriers to HIV treatment and import low-cost generic versions of the HIV medicine dolutegravir without permission from the patent owner, ViiV Healthcare, which is majority owned by UK pharma major GSK (LSE: GSK), under a  declaration issued earlier this week by the ministry of health.

The intended move, known as compulsory licensing or government use of patents, is a legitimate mechanism enshrined in international law. The declaration represents a direct challenge to the pharmaceutical industry in one of the hemisphere’s most influential states, and comes on the heels of more than 120 civil society organization and prominent individuals petitioning the Colombian Minister of Health Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo to support expanding access to the medicine.

Dolutegravir is recommended as the preferred first-line treatment for people living with HIV, including pregnant people, as per the guidance of the World Health Organization. Generic versions are available internationally for a fraction of ViiV’s price.