• 
• 

" I promise to impose more compulsory licensing on lifesaving drugs within my political term," he said.

Chalerm said he had discussed with the ministry's permanent secretary, Dr Prat Boonyarat about the enforcement of compulsory licensing of essential drugs in the near future, but resolution had yet to be finalised. He accepted that the enforcement of compulsory licensing for essential drugs could reduce their cost and help patients to get more access to them.

According to the World Trade Organisation, use of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) has allowed WTO members better access to essential medicines when patients' lives were at stake, but it should not be applied for commercial use.

Thailand has imposed compulsory licensing for HIV/Aids, heartdisease and cancer drugs since last year, cutting the price of these essential drugs for more than 100,000 patients.

Earlier, former Health Minister, Chaovarat Chanweerakul, said he had planned meetings with the Foreign and Commerce ministries to discuss an access mechanism to essential drugs, instead of imposing compulsory licensing. But no meeting has been held so far.