NGOs petition for lopinavir plus ritonavir compulsory licence in Colombia

A number of NGOs are pushing for Colombian authorities to issue a compulsory licence for lopinavir plus ritonavir, Abbott's HIV/AIDS drug Kaletra, claiming that access to the antiretroviral is of public interest.

The Working Group of HIV/AIDS Organizations, the Colombian Network of People Living with HIV, Health Action International and The Foundation Health Mission have filed letters requesting a compulsory licence with the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio which houses the patent office and has authority to grant a compulsory licence – and with the office of the President of the Republic, which can grant a licence through a