Resources

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.

This discussion paper was commissioned by the Indian Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS (INP+) to address the feasibility of introducing second-line ART into NACO’s public-sector treatment programme.

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.

Radhakrishnan and Abraham, Indian Medical Parliamentarians Forum

Using examples of medicines that are already on the market, and some which do not yet have marketing approval in India, we attempt to demonstrate how the current proposal of a three-year data exclusivity period would impact access to these medicines.

On 23 March, the Indian Parliament passed a new Patents Act, which brought the country into compliance with its WTO obligations. Heavily politicised amendment negotiations secured the continuation of pharmaceutical exports to least-developed countries, as well as the right to oppose patent applications on a number of grounds. However, some flexibilities under the TRIPS Agreement…