Novartis Takes On Colombia Over Glivec Pricing

Novartis AG is fighting what it thinks are unfair tactics by the Colombian health ministry to undermine intellectual property rights and cut the price of its anticancer Glivec (imatinib). It claims it is taking action to stop the same thing happening to other pharmaceuticals. Indeed, pressure is mounting from civil society to make hepatitis C treatments, including Gilead Sciences Inc.’s Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.'s Daklinza (daclatasvir) and Merck & Co. Inc.‘s Victrelis (boceprevir) more accessible.

In the latest development in the wrangling over Glivec, the Colombian health ministry has announced the national pricing commission’s decision...