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The Indian government is "reviewing patented drugs of foreign firms to see if so-called compulsory licenses, which in effect break exclusivity rights, can be issued for some of them to bring down costs," according to a Reuters article published Thursday, which cites two senior government officials.
The review affects up to a dozen varieties of drugs used to treat cancer, diabetes, hepatitis and HIV and signifies a move to make them more affordable.
The U.S. industry trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America is demanding the U.S. government intercede to prevent this from happening by placing India in the "worst offender" category regarding intellectual property -- a move that would push the U.S. government to take an even tougher line.
"The multinational companies are exploring all options - from paring their investments in the country to forcing the U.S. to take some actions," according to a New Delhi source quoted by Reuters.
The revelation comes just weeks after Chief Executive of Bayer pharmaceutical corporation Marijn Dekkers declared, following an order from an Indian court to allow a generic drug company to sell inexpensive varieties of the cancer drug Nexavar, "We did not develop this medicine for Indians. We developed it for western patients who can afford it."
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Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
The Indian government is "reviewing patented drugs of foreign firms to see if so-called compulsory licenses, which in effect break exclusivity rights, can be issued for some of them to bring down costs," according to a Reuters article published Thursday, which cites two senior government officials.
The review affects up to a dozen varieties of drugs used to treat cancer, diabetes, hepatitis and HIV and signifies a move to make them more affordable.
The U.S. industry trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America is demanding the U.S. government intercede to prevent this from happening by placing India in the "worst offender" category regarding intellectual property -- a move that would push the U.S. government to take an even tougher line.
"The multinational companies are exploring all options - from paring their investments in the country to forcing the U.S. to take some actions," according to a New Delhi source quoted by Reuters.
The revelation comes just weeks after Chief Executive of Bayer pharmaceutical corporation Marijn Dekkers declared, following an order from an Indian court to allow a generic drug company to sell inexpensive varieties of the cancer drug Nexavar, "We did not develop this medicine for Indians. We developed it for western patients who can afford it."
_____________________
The Indian government is "reviewing patented drugs of foreign firms to see if so-called compulsory licenses, which in effect break exclusivity rights, can be issued for some of them to bring down costs," according to a Reuters article published Thursday, which cites two senior government officials.
The review affects up to a dozen varieties of drugs used to treat cancer, diabetes, hepatitis and HIV and signifies a move to make them more affordable.
The U.S. industry trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America is demanding the U.S. government intercede to prevent this from happening by placing India in the "worst offender" category regarding intellectual property -- a move that would push the U.S. government to take an even tougher line.
"The multinational companies are exploring all options - from paring their investments in the country to forcing the U.S. to take some actions," according to a New Delhi source quoted by Reuters.
The revelation comes just weeks after Chief Executive of Bayer pharmaceutical corporation Marijn Dekkers declared, following an order from an Indian court to allow a generic drug company to sell inexpensive varieties of the cancer drug Nexavar, "We did not develop this medicine for Indians. We developed it for western patients who can afford it."
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