11 days ago ..
December 24, 2010 - Filed in Private stuff by Felix
Usually, I tend to keep my private life private. Since, however, the event I'm going to write more about in a second, changes a lot of things; and since I also want to share with the world the joy and happiness it brings, I'd like to make an exception here.
It's now been 11 days since our son has first seen the light of day. Right after his birth, he's watched us curiously with his big, beautiful eyes and brought tears of joy in ours. My spouse and I sure will never forget this moment.
Since then, our son has needed all of our attention around the clock. Every day brings new "firsts". And only slowly do we arrive in our new daily routine.
A lot has remained undone in the last 11 days. And certainly, it'll take another couple of days, until we've arrived in this new chapter in our lives and I can return to work full time.
Until then, dear customers, I can only ask you for your understanding. I hope to clear the backlog - especially that in support inquiries - quickly after the holidays.
Merry christmas and a happy new year to you, your families and friends!
Yours sincerly,
Felix Schwarz
Patents: profits over lifes?
May 10, 2007 - Filed in Private stuff by Felix
From the Medicins sans frontieres website:
Novartis was one of the 39 companies that took the South African government to court five years ago, in an effort to overturn the country's medicines act that was designed to bring drug prices down. Now Novartis is up to it again and is targeting India.
India produces affordable medicines that are vital to many people living in developing countries. Over half the medicines currently used for AIDS treatment in developing countries come from India and such medicines are used to treat over 80% of the 80,000 AIDS patients in Médecins Sans Frontières projects.
If Novartis is successful in its challenge against the Indian government and its patent law, more medicines are likely to be patented in India, making it very difficult for generic producers to make affordable versions of them. This could affect millions of people around the world who depend on medicines produced in India.
Tell Novartis it has no business standing in the way of people's right to access the medicines they need. Sign on and urge Novartis to DROP THE CASE against the Indian government.
I strongly encourage everybody to sign the Medicins sans frontieres petition.