Brazil issues a compulsory licence for efavirenz

The resolution addressed training and support for those affected by sickle cell anaemia.

The WHO regional director issued a message for the fourth annual observance on 31 August 2006.

The observance framed traditional practitioners as part of discussion on access to care across the continent.

The annual message brought public attention to medical practices used by African communities.

The 2006 observance marked a fourth year of continent-wide debate about traditional medicine and health systems.

The efavirenz decision aimed to protect affordable access within Brazil’s treatment programme.

Compulsory licensing allowed use of a patented medicine under conditions set by law.

The measure concerned efavirenz specifically and did not remove patent protection for every medicine.

The fifty-seventh WHO Regional Committee for Africa concluded on this date, reporting a declaration on traditional medicine.

The meeting’s reported declaration brought traditional care into a regional health ministers’ agenda.