WASHINGTON--16 May--PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest ThaiMyths.com ( http://www.thaimyths.com ), a project of USA For Innovation, unveiled Myth #7 today to draw attention to the deceit in Thailand's decision to steal American and European innovation. Each business day for two weeks from May 7 - May 18, ThaiMyths.com will release additional information regarding one of the ten recent myths by the Health Minister Mongkol naSongkhla. Today's Myth: #7 of 10 Myth: The drug companies started this fight. Fact: Thailand launched a first-strike with its compulsory licenses before negotiating with any of the companies. FACT: The government of Thailand admits that it did not negotiate with patent holders after the government changed hands in September 2006. Thailand readily admits that it did not meet conditions to "obtain authorization from the right holder on reasonable commercial terms" with the current government of Thailand in its white paper, "10 Burning Issues Related to the Government Use of Patents on Three Patented Essential Drugs," issued in February 2007. In this paper the Ministry of Health admits that all claimed negotiations occurred prior to a report published in April 2006, five months before the regime change in Thailand. Mongkol na Songkhla was not appointed Health Minister until September 2006. (Thailand Ministry of Public Health, "Fact and Evidences on the 10 Burning Issues Related to the Government Use of Patents on Three Patented Essential Drugs," 02/07) FACT: Thailand made no effort to reach out to companies or the U.S. Government prior to breaking patents Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson, in calling for companies and government to negotiate a solution, described the Ministry of Health's actions in the press, "Unfortunately there was no diplomacy in this process: there was virtually no effort to reach out to the U.S. government or the companies that developed the drugs to arrive at asolution before the licenses were issued. Thailand's aggressive first step has now created an escalating battle between government and industry." (Tommy Thompson, "Shrugging diplomatic responsibility: Thailand compulsory licensing systematic of larger problem," MarketWatch, 3/23/07) "Thailand did not bother to consult prior to issuing the compulsory licenses, and the drug companies woke up to read about it in the papers." (Editorial, "Theft in Thailand," The Wall Street Journal, 2/10/07) President of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association, Dr. Teera Chakajnarodom: "They never approached the companies before. Everything is negotiable." (Nicholas Zamiska, "Thai Move To Trim Drug Costs Highlights Growing Patent Rift," The Wall Street Journal, 1/30/07) FACT: Thailand is proudly encouraging other countries to abandon negotiation with drug companies "Prior negotiation with the patent holders is not an effective measure and only delays the improvement of access to essential medicines. It is only after the threat or the decision to use and implement Compulsory Licensing or Government Use of Patent that the negotiation will be more successful and effective. Those who advocate for prior negotiation should realize these facts. The attempt to push for prior negotiation only delays improvement in access to patented essential medicines ... " (Thailand Ministry of Public Health, "Fact and Evidences on the 10 Burning Issues Related to the Government Use of Patents on Three Patented Essential Drugs," 02/07) About USA For Innovation and ThaiMyths.com USA For Innovation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of intellectual property and continued innovation around the globe. USA For Innovation educates decision makers, the media and general public about threats to innovation. ThaiMyths.com is a project of USA For Innovation intended to expose the web of deceit by Thailand's Health Ministry. For additional information, please contact us at 866-646-8668 or [email protected] . SOURCE: USA For Innovation CONTACT: USA For Innovation, +1-866-646-8668, [email protected] --Distributed by AsiaNet ( www.asianetnews.net )--