Journal Articles

Worldwide, 71 million people are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), which, without treatment, can lead to liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV co-infection increases liver- and AIDS-related morbidity and mortality among HIV-positive people, despite ART. A 12-week course of HCV direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) usually cures HCV – regardless of HIV status. However, patents and…

T Amin and AS Kesselheim Health Aff 2012 Oct;31(10):2286-94. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2012.0107. Abstract Pharmaceutical manufacturers rely on patents to protect their intellectual property and often seek to extend market exclusivity for their products to maximize their return on investment. One method is by obtaining patents on features other than the original active drug ingredient, including secondary…

The ability of developing and least-developed countries to procure affordable generic medicines continues to be hampered by a lack of transparency in patent information. While there has been an increase in electronic patent information since TRIPS, much more still needs be done.

Original article in Spanish English translation

An empirical study of the impact of patenting and licensing on regional manufacturing of human papilloma virus vaccines to help improve vaccine affordability and access.

Engaging outside experts in patent review could curtail the granting of unmerited patents, which can lead to high prices for essential drugs in resource-poor countries.

Tahir Amin, Oxfam

In May 2006, Novartis challenged India’s standard for patentability of an invention as being unconstitutional and not in compliance with the WTO’s TRIPS Agreement. The outcome of the case is likely to have major implications for many developing countries.