Thailand Blacklisted From Receiving New AIDS Drugs

[longway]

well at least he reigned his venting to the thai govt, which is at least understandable, before he was bashing the entire nation in a nasty way. i think his posts hv been cleaned up.

TAX THE RICH THAIS!!!!

as for the rest of your post...you sound like a god ###### commie. get a hair cut and a job you smelly hippie.

Edited March 20, 2007 by longway

[Khun ?]

Best don't buy Thai or sell to Thailand. It's society for the most part is the cause of its AIDS problem.

Live the walk and talk the walk Thailand. If you want someone else to be the cure for your people pay the price. After all you only have 67 billion sitting in banks and investments, 24 mil would not be a months interest that will pay for the drugs you are trying to steal.

The type of foreigners that infest the place now days, it deserves. Many could not make it in the

countries they come from, now they are the authority on Thailand issues, some even think the world.

They are as important to Thailand as they were to their own countries. NOT

[Mid]

is not the argument about a fair price ...............................

[Khun ?]

is not the argument about a fair price ...............................

Many drugs out there, use another one, simple as that. They have been stealing in the past and now want

to make it policy. Maybe a simple solution let them pay the more than 20% tax to import their products

that they charge others and add 10% for reasons of theft.

[Khun ?]

Is it not suspicious how Thailand come up with the technology to copy others but did not come up

with their own cures. Is this somewhat the way Taksin got rich stealing the partnership company from a foreign firm and set up a monopoly. This is no different, let someone else work decades and then steal it.

[Old Man River]

I am in Thailand and like many, have donated my own money to help those unfortunate enough in Thailand to have contracted this horrible disease. Still, two wrongs don't make a right. No matter which way anyone describes it or condones it, the fact doesn't change that the patent that Abbott owns will be used without their permission. This shouldn't happen. In a country that is the "hub" of compromises, surely a compromise can be reached.

[Khun ?]

I handed out over $20K last year to thais. One of which was a uni grad, the son of a friend needed medical help ( not aids, think it was kidney problems). Already this year sent some cash to help a thai family who lost their work. Another elder family money to set up small shop for his wife.

I cut my tie's for the most and may never return but that does not mean I will not help old friends.

[jdinasia]

I handed out over $20K last year to thais. One of which was a uni grad, the son of a friend needed medical help ( not aids, think it was kidney problems). Already this year sent some cash to help a thai family who lost their work. Another elder family money to set up small shop for his wife.

I cut my tie's for the most and may never return but that does not mean I will not help old friends.

If you have cut your ties to Thailand and are not here ... you MAY wish to consider changing the location on your profile:)

Again .. since all the laws are with Thailand on this ... and public pressure is building against Abbott ... It will all work out well for poorer countries in the long run!

[Plus]

Did anyone read that article about Aboot increasing price of its Norvir to keep Kaletra sales going as other companies developed cheaper and better alternatives.

As far as I understand all these drugs, including Kaletra, are add-ons to Norvir, the original antiretroviral drug.

Development of Norvir was sponsored by a grant from National Institutes of Health.

So far it looks like Abbot invested only in commercially viable applications after all the hard science work has been done on public money.

At the moment I just don't see Abbot as an unjustly suffering inventor. Distributor portecting its turf - yes, innovator - no.

Legally it holds patents to both drugs - fine, Thailand is also acting within legal limits by producing generic copies.

[Johpa]

I agree with what Dupont said; "Also, inferior products with insuficient active dose, causes resistance. Mostly caused by pirate medicine companies scrimping on ingredients and corrupt governments doing the same. Can a Thai company provide the consistency and quality of this drug and will the Govenment be able to guarantee this?"

Again, the large pharmaceutical companies do not manufacture the drugs, they market the drugs. Much of the manufacturing occurs in low wage countries like India. I would think that a Thai manufacturing company could easily provide consistently high quality drugs. The problem is that the Thai (Bangkok) business community has no issues cutting corners to increase profits, whether it be manufacturing cement or manufacturing drugs. And yes, the government needs to get involved and regulate such quality issues, but it can esily be done.

[mumbu]

It is an amazing thread. I am not surprised that people are

so passionate about AIDS. I am not surprised that the thread

attracted so many America haters: after all Abbot labs is an

American company. But why anti-semites took a part is beyond me.

It seems that you cannot blame Jews for the AIDS problem in

Thailand , though pathological filthy anti-semites see Jews

everywhere and probably come from the same company as America

haters.

AIDS in Thailand is a huge, horrible problem. For decades

government after government in Thailand did absolutely nothing to

help the plight of their people. Dozens of thousands of people

died without any kind of help from the government, lonely and

shunned by their families. That was the grim reality of Thailand

until very recently when Thaksin's government changed things

drastically. Thaksin was the first Thai PM who put the money

where the mouth was: he introduced efficient government programs

(separate from 30 baht scheme which does not cover AIDS aside

from side effects) which include retroviral drugs. This along

with testing facilities (C4 cells count) which are run by some

AMERICAN pharmas with tests free for patients finally gave hope

for the huge group of "outcasts" in Thailand.

The new xenophobic government of Thailand made a "Solomon"

decision: to keep Thaksin programs but make big foreign Pharmas

pay for it. This is important political and financial decision

which definitely imply certain ramifications.

Corporations cannot be greedy by definition. People can.

Corporations cannot. The goal of a public corporation is to

benefit their shareholders. I do not care whether Abbot labs

developed the drug in question or just marketing it. This is

irrelevant. What is relevant is that the corporation cannot

operate as a charity. Chief officers of the corporation can be

nice and kind or greedy. They may very well make donations as

private citizens to AIDS foundations but corporation cannot

operate like that. Corporation can make PR moves , even donate

for various causes but the goal of the corporation is profit.

On the contrary, governments should take care of their own

people. There are remarkable charities in Thailand (like the

one run Dr Phillipe , MSF, in Pattaya) which do amazing things

for people with Aids but the main responsibility is with the

government. Thus, the first thing I suggest to anti-semites

and America haters: do not blame Abbot labs, Americans, Bush,

Jews or whoever. They have nothing to do with AIDS problem in

Thailand. Blame Thai government. I suggest the same thing to

the citizens of Amazing kingdom of Thailand.

We live in a complex, rapidly changing world.The rise of China

and the rest of Asia as a consequence will eventually change a

human civilization as we know it. We start witnessing already

coming wealth redistribution but more drastic changes are yet

to come. The major reason for a phenomenal rising of Chinese

dragon is amazingly simple: unprecedented in the history of mankind, shameless

exploitation of hundreds of millions of villages migrating to

urban areas, where they live in conditions worth than slaves,

need to work long hours almost for nothing. This is the other

side of Chinese miracle.

Under these circumstances those who live in developed

countries (or retired in Thailand with income from those

countries) should ask a very simple question: how are they

going to maintain their living standards. Are they ready to

accept working and living conditions of their Chinese

counterparts? Or may be they should insist on protection of

intellectual properties and other unique products produced in

developed countries. All these things are the result of a

complicated and expensive chain: education, research,

technological culture, infrastructure, investments...

Are they willing to allow numerous jerks (like the one in

question in BKK) to cross all this out?

The truth is that Thai government can afford AIDS treatment

program. It was true under Thaksin, its still true now. If

this program fails, the first to blame should be Thai

government , not Abbot, Merk or Bayer.

The last thing is for America haters. I do not care whether

you are Canadian, European or Japanese. I have very bad news

for you. Do you know what is going to happen with your own

country if America fails? Your country will fail too and quite

miserably. This is the today's reality. It may change in the

future but for now you need to live with it.

[Pepe']

It is an amazing thread. I am not surprised that people are

so passionate about AIDS. I am not surprised that the thread

attracted so many America haters: after all Abbot labs is an

American company. But why anti-semites took a part is beyond me.

It seems that you cannot blame Jews for the AIDS problem in

Thailand , though pathological filthy anti-semites see Jews

everywhere and probably come from the same company as America

haters.

AIDS in Thailand is a huge, horrible problem. For decades

government after government in Thailand did absolutely nothing to

help the plight of their people. Dozens of thousands of people

died without any kind of help from the government, lonely and

shunned by their families. That was the grim reality of Thailand

until very recently when Thaksin's government changed things

drastically. Thaksin was the first Thai PM who put the money

where the mouth was: he introduced efficient government programs

(separate from 30 baht scheme which does not cover AIDS aside

from side effects) which include retroviral drugs. This along

with testing facilities (C4 cells count) which are run by some

AMERICAN pharmas with tests free for patients finally gave hope

for the huge group of "outcasts" in Thailand.

The new xenophobic government of Thailand made a "Solomon"

decision: to keep Thaksin programs but make big foreign Pharmas

pay for it. This is important political and financial decision

which definitely imply certain ramifications.

Corporations cannot be greedy by definition. People can.

Corporations cannot. The goal of a public corporation is to

benefit their shareholders. I do not care whether Abbot labs

developed the drug in question or just marketing it. This is

irrelevant. What is relevant is that the corporation cannot

operate as a charity. Chief officers of the corporation can be

nice and kind or greedy. They may very well make donations as

private citizens to AIDS foundations but corporation cannot

operate like that. Corporation can make PR moves , even donate

for various causes but the goal of the corporation is profit.

On the contrary, governments should take care of their own

people. There are remarkable charities in Thailand (like the

one run Dr Phillipe , MSF, in Pattaya) which do amazing things

for people with Aids but the main responsibility is with the

government. Thus, the first thing I suggest to anti-semites

and America haters: do not blame Abbot labs, Americans, Bush,

Jews or whoever. They have nothing to do with AIDS problem in

Thailand. Blame Thai government. I suggest the same thing to

the citizens of Amazing kingdom of Thailand.

We live in a complex, rapidly changing world.The rise of China

and the rest of Asia as a consequence will eventually change a

human civilization as we know it. We start witnessing already

coming wealth redistribution but more drastic changes are yet

to come. The major reason for a phenomenal rising of Chinese

dragon is amazingly simple: unprecedented in the history of mankind, shameless

exploitation of hundreds of millions of villages migrating to

urban areas, where they live in conditions worth than slaves,

need to work long hours almost for nothing. This is the other

side of Chinese miracle.

Under these circumstances those who live in developed

countries (or retired in Thailand with income from those

countries) should ask a very simple question: how are they

going to maintain their living standards. Are they ready to

accept working and living conditions of their Chinese

counterparts? Or may be they should insist on protection of

intellectual properties and other unique products produced in

developed countries. All these things are the result of a

complicated and expensive chain: education, research,

technological culture, infrastructure, investments...

Are they willing to allow numerous jerks (like the one in

question in BKK) to cross all this out?

The truth is that Thai government can afford AIDS treatment

program. It was true under Thaksin, its still true now. If

this program fails, the first to blame should be Thai

government , not Abbot, Merk or Bayer.

The last thing is for America haters. I do not care whether

you are Canadian, European or Japanese. I have very bad news

for you. Do you know what is going to happen with your own

country if America fails? Your country will fail too and quite

miserably. This is the today's reality. It may change in the

future but for now you need to live with it.

----------------------

Finally the bottom line.

Thank You...

[jdinasia]

There was a little about HIV/AIDS medication in Mumbu's rant .... but not much. It never addressed the fact that Abbott didn't create the drug in question, OR that Thailand was within it's rights to decide to produce it on its own

<as for the liar that keeps sending me the inappropriate PM's ... LOL>

[Plus]

As far as I understand Abbot indeed developed the drug in question (or rather drugs as it's a cocktail). The initial research, however, was sponsored by NHI, not by Abbot. They invested only when the commercial success was guaranteed.

Currently they are being sued bor inflating prices of their first drug, Norvir, which consitutes the base component in HIV cocktails.

"Save the Abbot" brigade doesn't sound very credible until they address these questions.

Thailand has always been praised for its handling on AIDS epidemic, since early nineties, years before Thaksin.

[mumbu]

There was a little about HIV/AIDS medication in Mumbu's rant .... but not much. It never addressed the fact that Abbott didn't create the drug in question, OR that Thailand was within it's rights to decide to produce it on its own

<as for the liar that keeps sending me the inappropriate PM's ... LOL>

I said that it is irrelevant whether Abbot developed the drug or not, because Thai government decision did not take this fact into consideration. The only reason that was given is cost savings. Thailand within its rights to decide to produce it on its own. The action of Abbot is also perfectly legal. The point is who is responsible for AIDS crisis in Thailand. Certainly not Abbots Labs. Hence, they should not bear the cost of the problem. Thai government should and could.

[mumbu]

As far as I understand Abbot indeed developed the drug in question (or rather drugs as it's a cocktail). The initial research, however, was sponsored by NHI, not by Abbot. They invested only when the commercial success was guaranteed.

Currently they are being sued bor inflating prices of their first drug, Norvir, which consitutes the base component in HIV cocktails.

"Save the Abbot" brigade doesn't sound very credible until they address these questions.

Thailand has always been praised for its handling on AIDS epidemic, since early nineties, years before Thaksin.

Well, my post is based on facts. Before Thaksin's comprehensive program, thre was very little help to AIDS patients in Thailand from the government and as I said dozens of thousands died without any help.

Now, I am not going to discuss this topic with demagogues who have no clue what is the reality on the ground in Thailand.

If you want to argue with me, make yourself familiar with the real facts.

[farang prince]

The drug companies waste a lot of their resorces on making slight modifications (with no therapeutic effect) to already available drugs so as to prolong their patents. This should be stopped.

Please provide specifics. I'm fascinated by your inside information about the drug industry.

[slimdog]

There was a little about HIV/AIDS medication in Mumbu's rant .... but not much. It never addressed the fact that Abbott didn't create the drug in question, OR that Thailand was within it's rights to decide to produce it on its own

<as for the liar that keeps sending me the inappropriate PM's ... LOL>

I said that it is irrelevant whether Abbot developed the drug or not, because Thai government decision did not take this fact into consideration. The only reason that was given is cost savings. Thailand within its rights to decide to produce it on its own. The action of Abbot is also perfectly legal. The point is who is responsible for AIDS crisis in Thailand. Certainly not Abbots Labs. Hence, they should not bear the cost of the problem. Thai government should and could.

The reason that Thailand invoked the compulsory licence is not to manufacture the drug..

Under the TRIPS agreement, (I believe Article 6), countries which invoke the compulsory licence are allowed to import generic equivellents regardless of whether the Drug is under patent in the host country. Without the compulsory licence then Thailand would not be able to import any generic medications where the drug is patented in Thailand. The same applies to Stocrin (efavirenz).

[nick2k]

well at least he reigned his venting to the thai govt, which is at least understandable, before he was bashing the entire nation in a nasty way. i think his posts hv been cleaned up.

TAX THE RICH THAIS!!!!

as for the rest of your post...you sound like a god ###### commie. get a hair cut and a job you smelly hippie.

bashing a whole nation? ..in your mind, maybe.

if you read my previous posts, you would see that I advocate ALL american companies returning to the usa. american companies should be in the usa providing jobs to americans. this should be their first priority.

if you don't like my viewpoint, that is your choice. as I see it, this is the same viewpoint of many thais. that is, thai companies should be providing jobs to thais first before considering doing so to foreigners.

as for being a commie.. if you are trying to equate me to a mao commie, or a stalin commie, you are talking up the wrong pipe. I won't murder you for your difference in opinion. tell that to the millions murdered during the cultural revolution.

on my suggestion to the thais to TAX THE RICH THAIS!!!.. why is that communist? america does it. if I am correct, that is what all the western nations do. thailand needs money to finance many programs. where should they go to find the money for these programs if not from the rich?

...oh, I see. steal it from the foreigners, right?

if this is your view, then, my dream will come true soon. carry on.

[Pepe']

where does this hatred come from? mate you need medical help.

do you realise far worse behaviour exists all around the world?

whats this fixation on thailand? i understand its a thai forum, but your irrational obsession in running thailand down in every way is sickening.

nice people live in this country too.

Thailand does not care enough of its own people when it comes to money.

How did it come to now, that the drug companies don't care.

Just who has spent the time to come up with the treatment for the problem.

Who decided that the billions of dollars they have in the bank, is to good for their sick?

( Sure it wasn't the poor that are mostly affected)

Double standards seems to be their way of life.

Their short sightedness is appauling in this case.

Companies are doing great things to save their societies lifes. If they don't like the price which they have plenty to pay for it, start fixing the problems causing it.

They have been given much help from foreign governments and companies to be trying to pull this crap.

Too much to go on and on which i already have done.

Foreigners provide billions to thailands poor, but I guess the government can't or will not only to a certain amount.

--------------------

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I agree almost entirely almost entirely with Khun' s observations.

I I reall y don't hear hatred in his posts. IMHO sounds more like pure frustration to me...

[Jai Dee]

Abbott's decision not to introduce new drugs in Thailand criticised

Religious investors in Abbott Laboratories stock have criticized the drug maker's decision not to introduce new products in Thailand, saying the move risks the health of Thais, and asked it to reconsider its decision.

Abbott announced the move earlier this month after Thailand said it was going to break the patent on Abbott's AIDS drug Kaletra because the price was too high.

Christian Brothers Investment Services and 13 other religious investors with about $35 million (euro26 million) in Abbott shares said they were concerned that the company's actions might damage its reputation and hurt earnings.

"We believe the company is overlooking risks that can have a serious effect on brand, its relationships with patients, and ultimately, shareholder value,'' the group said in a statement.

Abbott's move has also been condemned by some public health groups such as Doctors Without Borders.

Abbott has withdrawn its applications in Thailand to register a new formulation of Kaletra as well as six other medicines including Humira for rheumatoid arthritis, pain killer Brufen and antibiotic Abbotic.

The investors, which all belong to the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), noted that the new formulation of Kaletra represents an important advancement because it does not have to be refrigerated or taken with food.

"The Thai government has chosen to limit access to medicines by breaking patents and discouraging companies like Abbott from bringing new medicines forward there. This matter is about intellectual property and the integrity of the patent system,'' Abbott spokesman Melissa Brotz said in a statement.

"Patients in Thailand continue to have access to Abbott medicines currently on the market there.''

Source: AP - 23 March 2007

[Mid]

Abbott shares results and key learnings from programs to fight HIV/AIDS in developing countries

Article Date: 13 Jul 2004 - 12:00 PDT

Abbott Laboratories and the Abbott Laboratories Fund today announced that program results and key learnings from the company's Global Care Initiatives would be highlighted in more than 30 presentations at the XV International AIDS Conference taking place this week in Bangkok. Abbott Laboratories is investing $100 million over five years in the fight against HIV/AIDS through four programs that address areas of critical need in developing countries: services to care for orphans and vulnerable children with Step Forward; the improvement of health care infrastructure with Tanzania Care; access to testing and treatment through Abbott Access to HIV Care; and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV with the Determine HIV� Testing Donation Program.

"Through effective partnerships among government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and industry, replicable models can be created that deliver results in fighting HIV/AIDS," said Reeta Roy, divisional vice president, Global Citizenship and Policy, Abbott Laboratories. "With the recent increase in international funding for HIV/AIDS initiatives in developing countries, there is a great need to identify programs that have shown demonstrable results. We look forward to sharing the results and key learnings from our programs with the global HIV community."

"

With the recent increase in international funding for HIV/AIDS initiatives in developing countries, there is a great need to identify programs that have shown demonstrable results. We look forward to sharing the results

interesting definition of sharing ...................................

[longway]

well at least he reigned his venting to the thai govt, which is at least understandable, before he was bashing the entire nation in a nasty way. i think his posts hv been cleaned up.

TAX THE RICH THAIS!!!!

as for the rest of your post...you sound like a god ###### commie. get a hair cut and a job you smelly hippie.

bashing a whole nation? ..in your mind, maybe.

if you read my previous posts, you would see that I advocate ALL american companies returning to the usa. american companies should be in the usa providing jobs to americans. this should be their first priority.

if you don't like my viewpoint, that is your choice. as I see it, this is the same viewpoint of many thais. that is, thai companies should be providing jobs to thais first before considering doing so to foreigners.

as for being a commie.. if you are trying to equate me to a mao commie, or a stalin commie, you are talking up the wrong pipe. I won't murder you for your difference in opinion. tell that to the millions murdered during the cultural revolution.

on my suggestion to the thais to TAX THE RICH THAIS!!!.. why is that communist? america does it. if I am correct, that is what all the western nations do. thailand needs money to finance many programs. where should they go to find the money for these programs if not from the rich?

...oh, I see. steal it from the foreigners, right?

if this is your view, then, my dream will come true soon. carry on.

relax i was just joking. anyways its not as if the usa hasnt stolen or done worse itself. I am not america bashing, its just a fact, deal with it.

I I reall y don't hear hatred in his posts. IMHO sounds more like pure frustration to me...

I think its a bit deeper than frustration at the thai govt being corrupt.

The point is who is responsible for AIDS crisis in Thailand. Certainly not Abbots Labs. Hence, they should not bear the cost of the problem. Thai government should and could.[

The thais once had an extremely good programme on aids awareness, so they have been doing something about it. Abbott is notbearing the cost, it just not making a massive profit in this case. Thousand of people are going to get free life saving drugs. However much hoopla u want to make of it the capatilist system is not going to collapse.

If you want to argue with me, make yourself familiar with the real facts.[

I think that should apply to you too. Thailand doesnt owe anyone anything. Just because you say somnething doesnt make it true.

I think this just needs to be put in perspective. The decsions being made by the thai govt are political regarding some of the licences. The issue of pharma companies exploiting 3rd world nations and everyone in fact is an old one. So they took a black eye on this one. I cant bring myself to get too upset about.

Edited March 23, 2007 by longway

[Jai Dee]

Abbott besieged

People living with HIV/Aids march to the Bangkok office of Abbott Laboratories yesterday over the call to boycott the US pharmaceutical giant’s products. The company will not introduce new drugs into Thailand after authorities agreed to make a generic version of its Aids drug Kaletra.

Source: The Nation - 27 March 2007

[gummy]

To put it all in perspective I wonder how many people have passed away since this topic started through the unavailabilty of affordable drugs ?

[Plus]

I am not going to discuss this topic with demagogues who have no clue what is the reality on the ground in Thailand.

If you want to argue with me, make yourself familiar with the real facts.

The real fact is that during the nineties Thailand has dramatically reduced the rate of new infections - nearly ten times less people were infected in 2000 than in 1990.

Mother to child transmissions were completely covered, too.

Since introducing anti-retroviral cocktails Thailand, roughly about when Thaksin came to power, expenditure on HIV/AIDS treatment increased six fold.

Back in the nineties these drugs either didn't exist yet or were outrageously expensive, especially after 1997 crisis when economy crashed and all imports suddenly became twice as expensive.

[Prakanong]

"Again, the large pharmaceutical companies do not manufacture the drugs, they market the drugs. Much of the manufacturing occurs in low wage countries like India."

Absolute &lt;deleted&gt; you are talking again - you really know very little about the pharma industry and it shows in your posts - its best not to show oneself up like this.

[jdinasia]

I am not going to discuss this topic with demagogues who have no clue what is the reality on the ground in Thailand.

If you want to argue with me, make yourself familiar with the real facts.

The real fact is that during the nineties Thailand has dramatically reduced the rate of new infections - nearly ten times less people were infected in 2000 than in 1990.

Mother to child transmissions were completely covered, too.

Since introducing anti-retroviral cocktails Thailand, roughly about when Thaksin came to power, expenditure on HIV/AIDS treatment increased six fold.

Back in the nineties these drugs either didn't exist yet or were outrageously expensive, especially after 1997 crisis when economy crashed and all imports suddenly became twice as expensive.

Sadly prevention and education expenditures and effectiveness has decreased! and the infection rates are on the rise again!

[Plus]

"Again, the large pharmaceutical companies do not manufacture the drugs, they market the drugs. Much of the manufacturing occurs in low wage countries like India."

Absolute &lt;deleted&gt; you are talking again - you really know very little about the pharma industry and it shows in your posts - its best not to show oneself up like this.

It wasn't my initial quote, but this is from Pfizer UK website about PGM - Pfizer Global Manufacturing

"Approximately, 32,000 colleagues work in PGM at manufacturing plants, logistics centres and offices in 30 countries. The PGM world is divided into four geographical areas: Americas, Asia/Africa/Middle East, Europe, Ireland/Singapore."

[Prakanong]

"Again, the large pharmaceutical companies do not manufacture the drugs, they market the drugs. Much of the manufacturing occurs in low wage countries like India."

Absolute &lt;deleted&gt; you are talking again - you really know very little about the pharma industry and it shows in your posts - its best not to show oneself up like this.

It wasn't my initial quote, but this is from Pfizer UK website about PGM - Pfizer Global Manufacturing

"Approximately, 32,000 colleagues work in PGM at manufacturing plants, logistics centres and offices in 30 countries. The PGM world is divided into four geographical areas: Americas, Asia/Africa/Middle East, Europe, Ireland/Singapore."

Yeah and the large pharma I work for is divided into N America, International, Europe with sub-divisions such as APAC etc

The fact is most of the manufacturing is still done in the first world.

In your example look at the size of the Pfizer manufacturing in say Sandwich in Kent, in Ireland where a lot of viagra is made and their home bases in the USA. Do they manufacture in India - no idea. We have major offices in Bangalore and Mumbai - been in the country over 100 years actually.

Where I work we manufacture in the UK, in the USA, Singapore and Europe - there will be expansion into APAC even more but the fact is most manufacturing of pharma drugs is not outsourced or completed in their Indian plants as implied by Johnpapa

Yes we have offices in a hel_l of a lot of countries - most of these will be sales, Clinical R&D etc. - In many cases you have to have Local Operating Companies for regulatory procedures etc but the manufacturing is often not there too.