For the past few months, Thailand has beaten up big pharma over the cost of its medicines by issuing compulsory licenses for three drugs and threatening still more. But Abbott, in particular, is feeling the brunt.

Unlike Merck and Sanofi-Aventis, Abbott withheld registration for new drugs, including a new version of is Kaletra AIDS pill for which the Thai government issued a license. The move was quickly criticized as callous by many patient advocates and faith-based investor groups.

Through it all, Abbott kept a low profile. No statements were issued on its web site and executives weren’t advocating their case publicly. Now, though, as Abbott’s annual meeting approaches this Friday, the drugmaker is suddenly making noise.

This past weekend, Abbott made a splash by offering to sell the new Kaletra version in Thailand if the government would repeal the compulsory license. Abbott appeared to be blinking, although some AIDS activists say the offer is really a form of blackmail.

And Abbott ceo Miles White is no longer invisible, although he didn’t mince words in a chat with The Wall Street Journal. “Some would like to make this an HIV issue, but the fact is, it’s not,” White says. “It’s clear that this continues to be about compulsory licensing and the potential for its abuse.”

This was a long overdue step. Big pharma was badly bruised in its patent fight with South Africa several years ago and Thailand is close to taking on the same proportions. But this time around, Abbott and Miles White are threatening to become Bangkok’s poster child.

Granting an interview to The Wall Street Journal on the eve of an annual meeting may placate some investors, but it may not go far enough. Through its hardball tactics and weeks of stoney silence, the drugmaker has made itself a target for AIDS activists and patient advocates.

Beyond the jousting over the dry language found in international trade rules, Abbott forgot a crucial lesson that, ironically, big pharma boasts about in its ubiquitous advertising - compassion for patients. Yes, it’s a delicate balancing act when investors demand profits, but so far, Abbott is nowhere near finding its equilibrium.

There’s a round-up story today for those who haven’t followed the issue in The Wall Street Journal (subscription required).[tags]Abbott Laboratories, Compulsory Licensing, Generics, Kaletra, Patents, Thailand[/tags]