Treating HIV and AIDS patients earlier using early antiretroviral therapy might be effective, a U.S. researcher told the International AIDS Society on Monday.

Scott Hammer a Columbia University researcher and a member of the International AIDS Society-USA Panel indicated that new data he had analyzed in the field over the last two years suggests initiating therapy before CD4 cell count declines to less than 350/L

Thailand is importing a cheaper, generic version of a heart drug from an Indian supplier that Bangkok licensed to produce the patented medicine, the Thai media reported on Wednesday.

The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) said on Wednesday it will import the blood-thinning drug Clopidogrel, which is locally sold as Plavix, at three cents each from Emcure Pharmaceuticals. Emcure won the recent bidding to supply Clopidogrel by offering the lowest price for the drug

Brazil will be receiving an AIDS drug at a 30 percent discount which can save of more than $ 10 million a year to the Exchequer.

The Latin American country, which is effectively fighting Aids and HIV with measures like free distribution of medicines, has signed a deal with U.S. drug-maker Abbott to import the drug, a new version of Kaletra at a slashed price

Brazil announced Friday it is breaking a U.S. patent on an AIDS drug manufactured by U.S. pharmaceutical giant Merck. With prices for many U.S. drugs out of reach for developing nations, violating patent laws and buying generic manufactured drugs from other nations at a steep price cut is one alternative.

In fact, the World Health Organization maintains a list of certified drugs from pharmaceutical companies in other countries that violate U.S. patent laws

Thailand's premier announced Thursday that his country will stand by its decision to break patents on pricey U.S.-made AIDS drugs, even after the U.S. reacted by placing it on a list of copyright violators.

Thai Public Health Minister Mongkol Na is scheduled to travel to the U.S. on May 5 to sign an agreement with the Clinton Foundation on obtaining cheaper drugs. He would again travel to the U.S. later this month to explain Thailand's decision to Congress and other public and private agencies