MORE than 120 health and development organisations today branded an attack by the British government on the Indian generic medicine industry as “another act of global vandalism.”

In an open letter, the health activists demanded that the British International Business and Trade Secretary abandon proposals within a trade deal that would undermine India’s ability to supply generic medicines.

Britain and India are set to begin negotiations later this month on August 24.

British demands on intellectual property would mean patients risk waiting years for essential medicines, and would drive up drug costs, leading to wholly avoidable deaths, the health groups said. 

The groups argue that the move could “sabotage” Britain’s stated intention to become a leader in global health.

They also warn that the British government’s slashing of overseas development assistance blocked an attempt to help lower-income countries manufacture generic Covid-19 vaccines in the pandemic.

India is the world’s largest producer of generic drugs, providing 20 per cent of the world’s generic medicine supply, including 80 per cent of anti-retrovirals used globally to treat Aids. 

Kenneth Mwehonge, executive director at the Uganda Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development, a signatory to the letter, said: “If Britain severs this lifeline in its trade deal, our lives will be the collateral damage. It would be another betrayal of patients in the global South.” 

Sangeeta Shashikant, legal adviser to Third World Network, which also signed the letter, said: “Rather than taking its marching orders from big pharma, Britain needs to heed demands coming from the global South and drop these disastrous proposals.”

Lauren Paremoer, senior lecturer in political studies at University of Cape Town and a member of People’s Health Movement South Africa, said: “Yet again the same mistakes are being repeated in this trade deal — but it’s not too late to turn back, before more lives are lost.”