Abbott's antiretroviral Kaletra (lopinavir plus ritonavir) is facing generic competition in Ecuador after the government issued a compulsory licence, following a request from the ESKE Group, for ritonavir on 14 April. The R&D pharmaceutical industry has criticised the decision, saying it undermines the patent system.
In addition the Indian firm Matrix has requested a second compulsory licence for the same drug, which could follow soon,...