India lobbied from all sides as it prepares patent bill for political debate
As India prepares its TRIPs-compliance patent bill for political debate, both developed and undeveloped countries are lobbying for favorable treatment under the new law. Remember that India met its January 1, 2005 deadline to implement certain changes to its patent law, including inclusion of pharmaceutical compositions within the definition of patentable subject matter, by issuing a presidential decree. In effect, the political debate on the matter was temporarily side-stepped.
Now, it appears the debate may start soon. According to this article, a bill on the matter may be submitted to parliament as early as next week.
Between issuance of the decree and now, pharmaceutical interests from around the world have been lobbying the Indian governement on the matter. Large pharmaceutical companies are seeking a broad definition of patentable subject matter and tightening of compulsory licensing provisions. Developing and least developed countries are lobbying essentially for the opposite position in efforts to continue their access to inexpensive generic drugs.
Its about to get interesting…
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