science
Andean Court Backs Colombia’s Compulsory License on ViiV HIV Drug
The Court of Justice of the Andean Community ruled that Colombia properly justified and timed a compulsory license issued two years ago for an HIV medicine sold by ViiV Healthcare. The decision confirms the legal framework for such measures when public interest is at stake. Consumer advocates called the ruling historic with implications across the region.
May 11, 3:57 PM·1m read1 source
abcnews.go.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
A South American court upheld the Colombian government's issuance of a compulsory license two years ago for an HIV medicine sold by ViiV Healthcare. The Court of Justice of the Andean Community ruled that the Colombian government had properly justified the reasons for issuing the license and had appropriately set an expiration date for its license.
The court concluded that Colombia did not incur a breach of Andean regulations.
The Court of Justice of the Andean Community is a tribunal that settles trade, intellectual property, and labor disputes for Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Such compulsory license measures are valid when there are reasons of public interest.
The ruling was reported on May 11, 2026. Ed Silverman, a senior writer and Pharmalot columnist at STAT who has been covering the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades, reported the decision. Consumer advocates called it an “historic” decision with regional implications in the battle over access to medicines.
The decision confirmed the legal framework for using such an approach in the future. STAT reported the full details of the court action and the Colombian health ministry's response.
