June 25, 2001
The Honorable Francis X. Ole Kaparo
I am writing to congratulate you and the Parliament of the
Republic of Kenya for the passage of the Industrial Properties Bill.
This bill, which was passed unanimously by the Parliament on June 12,
2001, will expand access to life-prolonging HIV/AIDS medicines for the
people of Kenya.
I am aware of the fact that the provision of the Industrial
Properties Bill allowing the government of Kenya to issue compulsory
licenses for HIV/AIDS drugs was controversial and encountered the
opposition of international pharmaceutical companies. However,
antiretroviral drugs have prolonged the lives of thousands of Americans
living with HIV, and there are over 2.1 million Kenyans living with HIV
who could benefit from access to these drugs. International
pharmaceutical companies should not be permitted to deny the benefits of
these drugs to Kenyans who need them.
I applaud the members of Kenya's Parliament for their wisdom and
courage in passing the Industrial Properties Bill and allowing the
manufacture and importation of generic medicines for the treatment of
HIV/AIDS. I will support the government of Kenya in its efforts to expand
the availability of HIV/AIDS medicines in any way that I can.
Sincerely,
Maxine Waters
MW:ks
cc: President Daniel T. Arap Moi, President of the Republic of Kenya
Speaker of the House
Parliament Building
Parliament Road
P.O. Box 41842
Nairobi
Kenya
Dear Hon. Speaker:
Member of Congress
His Excellency Dr. Yusuf A. Nzibo, Ambassador of the Republic of
Kenya