Patents & Public Health IPR & the Pharma Sector Dr. Akun Sabharwal
Patents Act 1970 ‘’Process V/s Product’’ Patent The Effect Cost of medicine – Affordable Public Health Issues Social Justice Indian Pharma Industry: Became a Global Player Provided many in the developing world Dr. Akun Sabharwal
The new Patent Regime WTO, TRIPS… Product patent Linkage between Trade & IPR – Is it so? Trade – Liberalization of flow of goods & Services TRIPS – Imposes Trade-restrictive policies Medicine…Monopoly…Malice Dr. Akun Sabharwal
IPR & Innovation… Yes…Really? What about Evergreening Even if in small measure – Innovation goals to be traded off against health & lives lost from increased prices Dr. Akun Sabharwal
The Solution Compulsory Licensing for Life saving or essential medicines. Resist pressure to join or align policies with new trade agreements. Consolidation of approach to Pharma access & innovation - Prize Money Concept Support Pharma R&D Open Science Networks Dr. Akun Sabharwal