The cost of essential drugs could soon rise substantially, if a pharmaceutical giant [Novartis] wins a court case [in India] against patents that allow production of generics... A ruling in favour of the company will have far-reaching effects on HIV antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and other essential medicines commonly used in Kenya, and most of the developing world... “Our lives are at stake. If Novartis wins this case, we will roll back the gains made in access to cheap medicines. The company and other drug manufacturers should not put patents and profits before lives,” says Ms Monique Wanjala, who has lived with HIV for 13 years.