{"id":157488,"date":"2016-02-13T17:19:34","date_gmt":"2016-02-13T11:49:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=157488"},"modified":"2016-02-18T23:55:34","modified_gmt":"2016-02-18T18:25:34","slug":"wikleaks-americans-sabotage-senaka-bibiles-pharmaceutical-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wikleaks-americans-sabotage-senaka-bibiles-pharmaceutical-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"WikiLeaks: Americans Sabotage Senaka Bibile\u2019s \u201cPharmaceutical Policy\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was alleged and widely believed that the US government played a key role in sabotaging Professor Senaka Bibile<\/span><\/a>\u2019s \u201cPharmaceutical policy\u201d. Leaked US Diplomatic Cables show that US did play a key role in sabotaging the drug policy which the Sri Lanka State Pharmaceutical Corporation tried to implement.<\/p>\n

\"Prof.<\/a>

Prof. Senaka Bibile<\/p><\/div>\n

At the time, Pharmaceutical companies in the country made considerable money by selling drugs under their trade names, giving out biased information about the branded drugs as against those named generically. The United Front Government of 1970 appointed Dr S.A. Wickremasinghe and Dr. Bibile<\/span><\/a> to lead a commission of inquiry to investigate this issue and they recommended the establishment a national policy and of a state body to regularise the trade. Accordingly, in 1971 T.B. Subasinghe, the Cabinet Minister of Industries, appointed Professor Senaka Bibile founder chairman of the Sri Lanka State Pharmaceutical Corporation.<\/p>\n

Today the 13th of February is the 96th birth anniversary of professor Senaka Bibile. He is best known for his advocacy of the government-controlled pharmaceutical purchasing plans often referred to as “rationalisation” of pharmaceuticals and the development of a national pharmaceuticals policy. He played the leading role in developing a rational pharmaceutical policy aimed at ensuring that impoverished people would get reasonable drugs at a low price.<\/p>\n

In a Confidential US diplomatic cable dated March 23, 1973 the US State Department informed US embassy Colombo that “Sri Lanka State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) announced on March 09 that SPC would assume total control of imports of bulk raw materials and finished goods and would become sole importer by end of 1973.\u00a0Pharmaceutical Manufactures Association (PMA) requested that embassy get in touch with US drug firm representatives in Colombo and suggested protest to GSL by embassy might be appropriate,\u201d<\/p>\n

On March 27, 1973, the US Embassy replied to the Secretary of State saying; \u201cEmbassy has been in touch with Warren Williams, PFIZER representative here. March 23 meeting saw Bibile lay down law to local Pharmaceutical representatives including members Ceylon Pharmaceutical Manufactures Association (CPMA) in acrimonious discussion. GSL policy calls for GSL to handle all imports and distribution, decide which manufactures will produce which products, and purchase raw materials on world wide tender. Drugs to be sold under genetic names. CPMA conducting public campaign against SPC decision. Embassy believes SPC intends proceed with plans in doctrinaire manner, but one argument which influence others in GSL against move is potential adverse effect on future foreign investment. SPC actions appear to leave little scope for private drug business, and Williams unofficially says PFIZER would have to pull out of Sri Lanka. Ambassador plans raise issues with Industries Minister Subasingha.\u201d<\/p>\n

On March 29, 1973, the US Department of State wrote to the US Embassy Colombo; \u201cDept endorses your plan to talk with industries Minister and we agree approach emphasizing deterrent effect this can have on private foreign investment, which GSL claims it wants, at least in certain fields, is the best argument we have.\u201d<\/p>\n

Colombo Telegraph found the related cables from the WikiLeaks<\/span><\/a> database. We publish below all the relevant cables;<\/p>\n

\n

PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Date:1973 March 23, 00:24 (Friday) Canonical ID:1973STATE053459_b
\nOriginal Classification:CONFIDENTIAL Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
\nHandling Restrictions– N\/A or Blank —
\nCharacter Count:3148
\nExecutive Order:GS Locator:TEXT ONLINE
\nTAGS:CE – Sri Lanka | EIND – Economic Affairs–Commerce, Industry and Industrial Products; Industry and Manufacturing | ETRD – Economic Affairs–Foreign Trade Concepts:– N\/A or Blank —
\nEnclosure:– N\/A or Blank — Type:TE – Telegram (cable)
\nOffice Origin:ORIGIN NEA – Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs
\nOffice Action:– N\/A or Blank — Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams<\/p>\n

Markings:Declassified\/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005<\/p>\n

From:Department of State
\nTo:Sri Lanka Colombo<\/p>\n

1. REPRESENTATIVE OF PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS ASSOC-
\nIATION ( PMA) HAS ADVISED DEPT OF FOLLOWING INFO IT HAS
\nRECEIVED ON GSL PLANS RE PHARMACEUTICAL IMPORTS INTO SRI
\nLANKA:<\/p>\n

A) SRI LANKA STATE PHARMACEUTICAL CORP. ( SPC)
\nANNOUNCED ON MARCH 9 THAT SPC WOULD ASSUME TOTAL CONTROL OF
\nIMPORTS OF BULK RAW MATERIALS AND FINISHED GOODS AND WOULD
\nBECOME SOLE IMPORTER BY END OF 1973.<\/p>\n

B) SPC HAS CALLED MEETING FOR MARCH 23 AT WHICH
\nPHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS WILL BE GIVEN DETAILS AND
\nASKED TO COOPERATE.<\/p>\n

C) PMA HAS PRESS ARTICLE WHICH INDICATES SPC MAY TAKE
\nOVER DISTRIBUTION OF FINISHED GOODS, BUT THERE HAS BEEN
\nCONFIDENTIAL<\/p>\n

CONFIDENTIAL<\/p>\n

PAGE 02 STATE 053459<\/p>\n

NO OFFICIAL STATEMENT IN THIS RESPECT.<\/p>\n

D) GSL MOTIVATION SEEMS TO BE EFFORT TO SAVE FX.<\/p>\n

2. PMA HAS EXPRESSED FOLLOWING CONCERNS REGARDING THIS
\nACTION:
\nA) IF US SUPPLIERS WERE UNDERBID BY OTHER FOREIGN
\nSUPPLIERS US AFFILIATES IN SRI LANKA WOULD BE FORCED TO
\nUSE MATERIALS FROM THESE OTHER SOURCES.<\/p>\n

B) IT VIOLATES COMPANY’ S RIGHT TO ASSURE QUALITY OF
\nITS OWN PRODUCTS.<\/p>\n

C) IT WOULD REMOVE THE ASSURANCE OF QUALITY DRUGS.<\/p>\n

D) WHERE PATENTS ARE INVOLVED, IT MIGHT FORCE A
\nSUBSIDIARY TO INFRINGE ON ITS OWN PARENT’ S PATENT.<\/p>\n

E) IT DISCOURAGES SUPPLIERS OF QUALITY MATERIALS AND
\nLEADS TO FEWER BIDDERS AND HIGHER PRICES INSTEAD OF
\nSTIMULATING COMPETITION.<\/p>\n

F) IT DISCOURAGES COMPANIES IN SRI LANKA WHO HAVE
\nWORLD- WIDE QUALITY REPUTATION AT STAKE — COMPANIES WHICH
\nINCUR EXPENSES FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND HIGH
\nQUALITY CONTROL.<\/p>\n

G) IT DISCOURAGES FUTURE FOREIGN INVESTMENT.<\/p>\n

H) IT REMOVES ACCESS TO, OR DELAYS INTRODUCTION OF,
\nNEW PRODUCTS IN SRI LANKA BY DISCOURAGING FOREIGN COM-
\nPANIES FROM DOING BUSINESS THERE.<\/p>\n

3. PMA REQUESTED DEPT ADVISE EMBASSY OF ABOVE, REQUESTED
\nTHAT EMBASSY GET IN TOUCH WITH US DRUG FIRM REPRESENTATIVES
\nIN COLOMBO AND SUGGESTED PROTEST TO GSL BY EMBASSY MIGHT
\nBE APPROPRIATE.<\/p>\n

4. DEPT ADVISED PMA REP THAT QUESTION HAD ORIGINALLY
\nARISEN ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO ( COLOMBO 064, JANUARY 09, 1971)
\nCONFIDENTIAL<\/p>\n

CONFIDENTIAL<\/p>\n

PAGE 03 STATE 053459<\/p>\n

AND THAT AMBASSADOR HAD DISCUSSED MATTER WITH INDUSTRIES
\nMINISTER AT THAT TIME. DEPT AGREED PASS ALONG PMA INFO
\nAND VIEWS TO EMBASSY BUT INDICATED THAT AS EXACT NATURE OF
\nPROBLEM AS YET UNKNOWN, PROTEST BY EMBASSY DID NOT APPEAR
\nTO BE IN ORDER AT THIS TIME.<\/p>\n

5. APPRECIATE EMBASSY KEEPING US ADVISED OF DEVELOPMENTS
\nIN THIS MATTER. ROGERS
\nCONFIDENTIAL<\/p>\n

\n

PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY IN SRI LANKA<\/strong><\/p>\n

Date:1973 March 27, 10:02 (Tuesday) Canonical ID:1973COLOMB00764_b
\nOriginal Classification:CONFIDENTIAL Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
\nHandling Restrictions– N\/A or Blank —
\nCharacter Count:2145
\nExecutive Order:GS Locator:TEXT ONLINE
\nTAGS:CE – Sri Lanka | EIND – Economic Affairs–Commerce, Industry and Industrial Products; Industry and Manufacturing | ETRD – Economic Affairs–Foreign Trade Concepts:– N\/A or Blank —
\nEnclosure:– N\/A or Blank — Type:TE – Telegram (cable)
\nOffice Origin:– N\/A or Blank —
\nOffice Action:ACTION NEA – Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams<\/p>\n

Markings:Declassified\/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005<\/p>\n

From:Sri Lanka Colombo
\nTo:Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs | Secretary of State<\/p>\n

1. SUMMARY: EMBASSY HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH WARREN WILLIAMS,
\nPFIZER REPRESENTATIVE HERE. MARCH 23 MEETING SAW BIBILE LAY DOWN
\nLAW TO LOCAL PHARMACEUTICAL REPRESENTATIVES INCLUDING MEMBERS
\nCEYLON PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS ASSN ( CPMA) IN ACRIMONIOUS
\nDISCUSSION. GSL POLICY CALLS FOR GSL TO HANDLE ALL IMPORTS AND
\nDISTRIBUTION, DECIDE WHICH MANUFACTURERS WILL PRODUCE WHICH PRO-
\nDUCTS, AND PURCHASE RAW MATERIALS ON WORLDWIDE TENDER. DRUGS
\nTO BE SOLD UNDER GENERIC NAMES. CPMA CONDUCTING PUBLIC CAM-
\nPAIGN AGAINST SPC DECISION. EMBASSY BELIEVES SPC INTENDS PRO-
\nCEED WITH PLANS IN DOCTRINAIRE MANNER, BUT ONE ARGUMENT WHICH
\nMIGHT INFLUENCE OTHERS IN GSL AGAINST MOVE IS POTENTIAL AD-
\nVERSE EFFECT ON FUTURE FOREIGN INVESTMENT. SPC ACTIONS APPEAR
\nTO LEAVE LITTLE SCOPE FOR PRIVATE DRUG BUSINESS, AND WILLIAMS
\nUNOFFICIALLY SAYS PFIZER WOULD HAVE TO PULL OUT OF SRI LANKA.
\nAMBASSADOR PLANS RAISE ISSUE WITH INDUSTRIES MINISTER SUB-
\nASINGHA. END SUMMARY.<\/p>\n

2. PFIZER GENERAL MANAGER, WARREN W. WILLIAMS, BRIEFED AMB
\n21 MARCH ON STATE PHARMACEUTICAL CORP. ( SPC) EFFORTS IMPOSE
\nCONFIDENTIAL<\/p>\n

CONFIDENTIAL<\/p>\n

PAGE 02 COLOMB 00764 271117 Z<\/p>\n

WILL ON SRI LANKA PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY.<\/p>\n

3. SPC CHAIRMAN BIBILE MARCH 23 HELD MEETING MENTIONED RHE COMMUNIST
\nPARTY ( DKP). THIS LEAVES TWO STAMOKAPS
\nAMONG REMAINING SEVEN MEMBERS OF FRANKFURT JUSO BOARD. ELECTIONS
\nTO BE HELD AT LOCAL JUSO CONFERENCE MARCH THIRTY- ONE SHOULD GIVE
\nMEASURE OF RESIDUAL STAMOKAP STRENGTH. HARLAN
\nUNCLASSIFIED<\/p>\n

\n

PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY IN SRI LANKA<\/strong><\/p>\n

Date:1973 March 29, 23:52 (Thursday) Canonical ID:1973STATE058573_b
\nOriginal Classification:CONFIDENTIAL Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
\nHandling Restrictions– N\/A or Blank —
\nCharacter Count:1415
\nExecutive Order:– N\/A or Blank — Locator:TEXT ONLINE
\nTAGS:CE – Sri Lanka | EIND – Economic Affairs–Commerce, Industry and Industrial Products; Industry and Manufacturing | ETRD – Economic Affairs–Foreign Trade Concepts:– N\/A or Blank —
\nEnclosure:– N\/A or Blank — Type:TE – Telegram (cable)
\nOffice Origin:ORIGIN NEA – Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs
\nOffice Action:– N\/A or Blank — Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams
\nMarkings:Declassified\/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005<\/p>\n

From:Department of State<\/p>\n

To:Sri Lanka Colombo<\/p>\n

1. SUBSTANCE OF REFTEL WAS PASSED TO REPRESENTATIVE OF
\nPHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURER’ S ASSOCIATION ( PMA) MARCH 28.
\nPMA HAD RECEIVED SIMILAR REPORT ON EVENTS PRESUMABLY FROM
\nWILLIAMS. ALTHOUGH PMA AND PFIZER OBVIOUSLY DISTURBED
\nAT APPARENT COURSE EVENTS ARE TAKING, THEY SEEM UNCERTAIN
\nWHAT COURSE OF ACTION THEY WISH TO TAKE.<\/p>\n

2. DEPT ENDORSES YOUR PLAN TO TALK WITH INDUSTRIES
\nMINISTER AND WE AGREE APPROACH EMPHASIZING DETERRENT
\nEFFECT THIS CAN HAVE ON PRIVATE FOREIGN INVESTMENT, WHICH
\nGSL CLAIMS IT WANTS, AT LEAST IN CERTAIN FIELDS, IS BEST
\nARGUMENT WE HAVE. WHEN YOU BELIEVE IT APPROPRIATE, IT
\nMIGHT ALSO BE USEFUL TO EXPRESS OUR CONCERN THAT IF GSL
\nIMPLEMENTS PLAN, IT SHOULD BE DONE IN SUCH A WAY AS TO
\nTAKE INTO ACCOUNT LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF AMERICAN
\nPHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES. ROGERS<\/p>\n

CONFIDENTIAL<\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY IN SRI LANKA<\/strong><\/p>\n

Date:1973 April 5, 06:45 (Thursday) Canonical ID:1973COLOMB00869_b
\nOriginal Classification:CONFIDENTIAL Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
\nHandling Restrictions– N\/A or Blank —
\nCharacter Count:916
\nExecutive Order:RR Locator:TEXT ONLINE
\nTAGS:CE – Sri Lanka | EIND – Economic Affairs–Commerce, Industry and Industrial Products; Industry and Manufacturing | ETRD – Economic Affairs–Foreign Trade Concepts:– N\/A or Blank —
\nEnclosure:– N\/A or Blank — Type:TE – Telegram (cable)
\nOffice Origin:– N\/A or Blank —
\nOffice Action:ACTION NEA – Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams
\nFrom:Sri Lanka Colombo Markings:Declassified\/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005
\nTo:Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs | Secretary of State<\/p>\n

1. RECENT PUBLIC STATEMENTS BY STATE PHARMACEUTICAL CORP.
\nCHAIRMAN DR. BIBILE APPEAR INDICATE HE WAFFLING AND MAY RPT
\nMAY NOW BE WILLING COMPROMISE ON QUESTION USE GENERIC NAMES
\nFOR DRUGS.<\/p>\n

2. ACCORDINGLY, AMBASSADOR, INCONSULTATION WITH WILLIAMS OF
\nPFIZER, HAS DECIDED REFRAIN FOR PRESENT FROM APPROACH TO IN-
\nDUSTRIES MINISTER SUBASINGHE.
\nVAN HOLLEN
\nCONFIDENTIAL<\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

PHARMACEUTICAL PATENT PROPOSALS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Date:1973 April 6, 20:09 (Friday) Canonical ID:1973STATE064074_b
\nOriginal Classification:UNCLASSIFIED Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
\nHandling Restrictions– N\/A or Blank —
\nCharacter Count:1815
\nExecutive Order:– N\/A or Blank — Locator:TEXT ONLINE
\nTAGS:CE – Sri Lanka | EIND – Economic Affairs–Commerce, Industry and Industrial Products; Industry and Manufacturing | ETRD – Economic Affairs–Foreign Trade Concepts:– N\/A or Blank —
\nEnclosure:– N\/A or Blank — Type:TE – Telegram (cable)
\nOffice Origin:ORIGIN EB – Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
\nOffice Action:– N\/A or Blank — Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams<\/p>\n

Markings:Declassified\/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005<\/p>\n

From:Department of State
\nTo:Sri Lanka Colombo<\/p>\n

1. GSL PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO ABOLISH PRODUCT PATENTS
\nIN FAVOR OF PROCESS PATENTS IS CONTRARY TO PRODUCT PATENT
\nPROTECTION TREND IN MANY COUNTRIES INCLUDING SOME 20
\nEUROPEAN COUNTRIES EXPECTED TO NEGOTIATE EUROPEAN PATENT
\nCONVENTION LATER THIS YEAR. PROVISION FOR PRODUCT PATENT
\nPROTECTION IN PRESENT DRAFT EXPECTED REMAIN IN FINAL
\nCONVENTION WHICH BECOMES EFFECTIVE 1975.<\/p>\n

2. SHOULD THE QUESTION ARISE AS TO US PATENT POLICY,
\nIT SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED THAT US PATENT LAWS ARE AMONG THE
\nMOST THOROUGH IN PROVIDING FOR PRODUCT PATENT PROTECTION
\nINCLUDING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS.<\/p>\n

3. HOWEVER, SHOULD GSL PROCEED WITH PLANS ONLY HONOR<\/p>\n

UNCLASSIFIED<\/p>\n

UNCLASSIFIED<\/p>\n

PAGE 02 STATE 064074<\/p>\n

PROCESS PATENTS FOR DRUGS, IT IS HOPED THAT ANY ACTION
\nSUCH AS COMPULSORY PATENT LICENSINR WHICH MIGHT BE TAKEN
\nWOULD BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARIS CONVENTION PROTECTION
\nINDUSTRIAL PROPERTY, TO WHICH GSL SIGNATORY.<\/p>\n

4. ACTION REQUESTED: IF DEEMED APPROPRIATE, EMBASSY MAY
\nUTILIZE THE FOREGOING IN DISCUSSIONS WITH GSL OFFICIALS. ROGERS
\nUNCLASSIFIED<\/p>\n

\n

PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY IN SRI LANKA: STATUS REPORT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Date:1973 May 3, 13:10 (Thursday) Canonical ID:1973COLOMB01123_b
\nOriginal Classification:CONFIDENTIAL Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
\nHandling Restrictions– N\/A or Blank —
\nCharacter Count:4246
\nExecutive Order:GDS Locator:TEXT ONLINE
\nTAGS:CE – Sri Lanka | EIND – Economic Affairs–Commerce, Industry and Industrial Products; Industry and Manufacturing | ETRD – Economic Affairs–Foreign Trade Concepts:– N\/A or Blank —
\nEnclosure:– N\/A or Blank — Type:TE – Telegram (cable)
\nOffice Origin:– N\/A or Blank —
\nOffice Action:ACTION NEA – Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams<\/p>\n

Markings:Declassified\/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005<\/p>\n

From:Sri Lanka Colombo
\nTo: Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs | Secretary of State<\/p>\n

1. DESPITE SIGNS OF WAFFLING REPORTED REFTEL, NOW APPEARS THAT
\nSTATE PHARMACEUTICAL CORP ( SPC) UNDER AEGIS MINISTRY OF
\nINDUSTRIES IS DETERMINED TO CARRY ON POLICIES OUTLINED COLOMBO
\n764. SECRETARY OF THE MINISTRY ISSUED FORMAL STATEMENT
\nAPRIL 11 IN FORM OF LETTER IN REPLY TO CEYLON PHARMACEUTICAL
\nMANUFACTURERS’ ORGANIZATION WHICH HAD REQUESTED A CLARIFICATION
\nOF THE GOVERNMENT’ S POLICY IN THE LIGHT OF DR. BIBILE’ S RE-
\nMARKS ON 23 MARCH.<\/p>\n

2. MINISTRY REITERATED THE FUNCTIONS OF SPC AND DECISION THAT FROM
\n1973 ONWARDS THE SPC WOULD HANDLE THE IMPORT OF DRUGS AS WELL
\nAS IMPORT OF RAW MATERIALS FOR LOCAL MANUFACTURING. POSITION
\nTAKEN BY THE SPC CHAIRMAN WAS SPECIFICALLY ENDORSED AS IN FULL
\nACCORD WITH GOVERNMENT’ S DECISION. MINISTRY EXPRESSED VIEW THAT
\nPOLICY WOULD LEAD TO A SAVING IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE WITHOUT
\nANY IMPAIRMENT OF AVAILABILITY OF DRUGS OR THEIR QUALITY.<\/p>\n

3. C. A. BAKER, VP PFIZER CORP AND AREA MANAGER SE ASIA,
\nCALLED ON AMB APRIL 6 TOGETHER WITH LOCAL PFIZER GENMANAGER
\nWARREN W. WILLIAMS. BAKER APPEARED TO PIN MUCH HOPE ON LEGAL
\nCONFIDENTIAL<\/p>\n

CONFIDENTIAL<\/p>\n

PAGE 02 COLOMB 01123 031405 Z<\/p>\n

POSITION WHICH HE HAD BACKED UP WITH AN OPINION FROM LEADING
\nFORM OF COLOMBO LAWYERS. WHILE BAKER GAVE IMPRESSION PFIZER
\nCOULD LIVE WITH USE OF GENERIC NAMES, HE EMPHASIZED THAT
\nPOINTS WHICH COULD LEAD TO A PFIZER PULL- OUT WHERE GSL’ S IN-
\nSISTENCE ON THE GOVERNMENT IMPORTING THE RAW MATERIALS AND ITS
\nCLAIM TO MONOPOLY OVER DRUG DISTRIBUTION.<\/p>\n

4. AMB EXPRESSED SKEPTICISM THAT LACK OF LEGAL BASIS WOULD
\nIMPEDE GOVERNMENT ACTIONS. WITH TWO- THIRDS MAJORITY IN THE
\nNATIONAL STATE ASSEMBLY, VIRTUALLY ANYTHING COULD BE LEGAL-
\nIZED. HE EXPRESSED WISH TO BE HELPFUL TO PFIZER AND SAID HE
\nWAS PREPARED AT APPROPRIATE TIME TO RAISE THE INDUSTRIES MIN
\nT. B. SUBASINGHE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF SUCH GOVERNMENT ACTION
\nON THE INVESTMENT CLIMATE. HOWEVER, AMB DID NOT WISH TO INJECT
\nHIMSELF INTO THE CONTROVERSY UNLESS PFIZER AGREED THAT IT
\nWOULD BE HELPFUL. BAKER FELT THAT CURRENT GSL ACTIONS AMOUNTED
\nTO A DE FACTO NATIONALIZATION. HE FELT EMBASSY INVOLVEMENT
\nWOULD BE HELPFUL FOR PFIZER, AND, IN ANY CASE, THEY HAD REACHED
\nSHOWDOWN STAGE WITH GSL. UNLESS THE GSL CONCEDED THE TWO MAIN
\nPOINTS OF IMPORTS AND DISTRIBUTION, PFIZER WOULD PULL OUT.<\/p>\n

5. WILLIAMS UPDATED SITUATION TO AMB MAY 3. STATED LETTER
\nAGIN SENT TO T. B. SUBASINGHE SEEKING CLARIFICATION ON GROUNDS
\nGSL REPLY BY SECRETARY INDUSTRIES MINISTRY FAILED TO ADDRESS
\nQUESTIONS. LETTER ALSO SENT OR BEING SENT FROM TOP ECHELON OF
\nPFIZER, INC., TO PM. WILLIAMS FELT PFIZER COULD COMPROMISE
\nSOME ON CENTRALIZED PURCHASE ISSUE PROVIDED PFIZER COULD SPECIFY
\nNINE OR TEN CRITICAL COMPONENTS TO BE IMPORTED FROM PARENT
\nORGANIZATION TO MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL HIGH QUALITY OF PFIZER
\nSPECIALITY PRODUCTS. ON DRUG IDENTIFICATION THEY WANTED AT
\nLEAST PFIZER NAME AND BELIEVED THERE MIGHT BE SOME GSL FLEX-
\nIBILITY ON THIS POINT. PFIZER INSISTED, HOWEVER, ON RIGHT
\nCONTINUE DISTRIBUTION AND SALES. WILLIAMS BELIEVES SPC CHAIRMAN
\nHAS EXCEEDED MANDATE BUT UNFORTUNATELY IS GLIB AND SPECIOUSLY
\nREASONABLE. WILLIAMS CONCLUDED HE HIMSELF WAS BIT MORE
\nOPTIMISTIC THAN WHEN HE HAD DISCUSSED MATTER WITH AMB APRIL
\n6 AND HOPED SOME OF OUTSTANDING ISSUES MIGHT BE NEGOTIABLE.<\/p>\n

6. AMB INFORMED WILLIAMS HE PLANNED RAISE SUBJECT IN GENERAL
\nTERMS WITH PM DURING CALL MAY 4 AND WOULD ALSO INQUIRE WHETHER
\nSHE WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE MR. J. G. HEIGES, GENERAL COUNSEL AND
\nCONFIDENTIAL<\/p>\n

CONFIDENTIAL<\/p>\n

PAGE 03 COLOMB 01123 031405 Z<\/p>\n

MEMBER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PFIZER, CORP., NEW YORK, DURING
\nHEIGES’ S MID- MAY VISIT HERE.
\nVAN HOLLEN
\nCONFIDENTIAL
\nNMAFVVZCZ<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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