We think that there will be unparalleled attention in 2016 on the issues of access to advanced medicines and on how to pay for them. Past controversies have largely focussed on access in low and middle income countries; this time Europe and North America will command at least as much attention. Ironically, the world’s richest and the poorest will … [Read more...] about Access to advanced medicines and affordability: a look forward to 2016
patents
UK parliamentary report on R&D for neglected diseases focuses on …. medieval Venice
This summer, an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Tuberculosis of the UK Parliament produced a report on research and development for diseases that affect poor people. This was admirable, except that the report has little to do with global health R&D and instead concentrates on radical changes to the system of patents and intellectual … [Read more...] about UK parliamentary report on R&D for neglected diseases focuses on …. medieval Venice
“The new drug war”: The Economist predicts a long wait for access to medicines
There's an unusually thoughtful piece in this week's Economist on the worldwide debates over medicines, patents and innovation. Unlike a lot of Economist reporting, it's not overly ideological. Maybe the most interesting point is in the whole article is this: "in part because health budgets are small, drugs often already account for a bigger … [Read more...] about “The new drug war”: The Economist predicts a long wait for access to medicines
India’s policy in #greenenergy and #cleantech #patents is “expropriation” says newspaper
India apparently plans to force the holders of green energy patents to license their innovations to Indian companies. As we noted earlier this week, this seems a bold extension of a policy that has already had a limited use in the health and pharma sector. India can do this under the National Manufacturing Policy. The NMP says that the government … [Read more...] about India’s policy in #greenenergy and #cleantech #patents is “expropriation” says newspaper
India’s patent system on medicine may be the new normal #accesstomedicine #india
There has been a lot of wailing amongst multinational pharma companies about India's uniquely unfriendly attitude to patents. Now, it might be starting to look like the new normal. The MNC's are worried about three separate developments in India that they think will reduce incentives for innovation Compulsory licences where a local … [Read more...] about India’s patent system on medicine may be the new normal #accesstomedicine #india
Indian delight over US decision on Samsung #patents – impact on #accesstomedicine
There is widespread delight in India over last week's decision by President Obama to veto a patent ruling that would have disadvantaged Apple and favoured Samsung. The ruling would have stopped Apple from selling some older iPhones in the USA on the grounds that they infringed Samsung's patents. The US based its decision to over-rule the … [Read more...] about Indian delight over US decision on Samsung #patents – impact on #accesstomedicine