Protests mar International Health Conference in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Activists interrupted a few sessions at the four-day International Conference that kick-started in the city on Wednesday. They protested against lack of transparency in clinical trials and licencing of the TB drug Pretomanid.

The protestors, comprising Indians and some foreigners, survivors entered the venue shouting slogans and holding placards. Pretomanid is a public funded drug. So, the activists demanded free compassionate use and registration of the drug in high burden countries. Also, they sought licensing agreement with Indian pharma companies to be made public.

Survivors and activists rued that in all the things said by governments and NGOs, no one has said the word rights. "Where are our rights?" they questioned.