Multinational: Big pharma calls on US to protect patents

The world’s largest pharmaceutical companies are reportedly calling upon the US to protect their intellectual property as emerging markets are looking to bring down healthcare costs through generic drugs.

Sources say India’s government is looking into breaking pharmaceuticals’ exclusivity rights through compulsory licenses, allowing the government to launch generic and cheaper forms of the treatments. Those same sources say the drugs involved in the review include cancer, diabetes, HIV and hepatitis treatments, though the pharmaceutical firms that could be effected were not specified.

Major drug makers including Pfizer, Novartis, Roche Holding and Sanofi reportedly hold a major market share in India.

Reports say India is already being closely monitored by regulators and is listed on the US Priority Watch List, which pinpoints nations whose intellectual property policies should be watched.

According to one source in New Delhi who reports say is “directly involved” with the matter, “the multinational companies are exploring all options – from paring their investments in the country to forcing the US to take some actions.”

Other nations on the US Priority Watch List include Argentina, Pakistan, Russia and China.

Earlier this month South Africa was reported to be an emerging epicenter of the tension between generic and brand name pharmaceuticals as it, too, is considering government policies that would allow the release of generic forms of drugs before patents for brand names expire.

Full Content: Reuters

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