Fire in the blood , a documentary that tells the story of “medicine, monopoly and malice”, is set to be watched by lawmakers across the world.
Currently running in Indian cinemas, the internationally acclaimed film traces Africa’s struggle to access AIDS medicines about 10 years ago.
Special screenings
Soon, the film will make its way into the corridors of power, with a special screening scheduled for the European Parliament on December 4, said its producer and director, Dylan Mohan Gray.
In the US, Congressional representatives and senators are scheduled to watch the documentary in Washington, D.C. in January, while a screening for the UK Parliament is still at the discussion stage and should be held early next year, said Gray. Efforts are on to hold screenings for parliamentarians in India and South Africa, Gray confirmed, adding that the World Health Organization and other inter-governmental organisations have also requested special showings.
Fire in the blood focuses on the intrigue prevailing in the lobby-infested world of global pharmaceuticals.
Riveting tale
The documentary tells its story through key players, including former US President Bill Clinton, economist Joseph Stiglitz, South African Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu and Indian drug-maker Cipla and its chief Y.K. Hamied .
It highlights the difference Indian generic-drug companies make in Africa by providing access to affordable medicines — all thanks to their expertise in making cheap clones of innovative drugs.
Cipla role
In 2001, Hamied played a critical role in slashing prices and supplying a cocktail of AIDS drugs at less than a dollar a day to patients in Africa.
The film captures the moving stories of individuals whose lives were touched by Cipla’s offer to supply the AIDS triple-drug therapy at an annual cost of $350 per person, against the multinational price of $10,000 to $15,000 a year.
Wide Screening
In India, the film will be made freely available on YouTube in about three months, said Gray. Globally, it will be freely available online in a year,
The film-maker, who is married to Hamied’s niece, said civil-society groups are working to make screenings possible for more policy-makers.
Smaller edits of the film are being sought for congressional and advocacy purposes.
And since television brings in the biggest audience, the film is also ready for telecast in several countries, including Finland, Norway, Poland, Switzerland and Israel, in the next few weeks.