The Op-Ed: What Patent Reform In Brazil And South Africa Can Mean

In recent months, two countries with large economies and large populations both took steps to rework their patent laws, in part, to expand access to medicines. The moves come amid increasing concerns that treatments for certain ailments, such as AIDS and cancer, are out of reach for many people. Their actions also underscore growing tension with the pharmaceutical industry over pricing policies and an increasing willingness among some governments to rely on international trade agreements to consider compulsory licenses as a work-around solution. Brook Baker, a professor in the Program on Human Rights and the Global Economy at the Northeastern University School of Law, and a member of Health Gap, Global Access Project, suggests other countries may be emboldened to do the same. It is no coincidence that the governments of Brazil and South Africa have concurrently launched patent law reform projects designed to increase affordable access to medicines of assured quality.  On October 9, the Brazilian Center for Strategic Studies and Debates formally launched its 363-page report “Brazil's Patent Reform: Innovation Towards National Competitiveness,” which included proposed legislation (read here). The report addresses patent law reform in Brazil taking into account the core standards of the WTO TRIPS Agreement, TRIPS flexibilities, public health imperatives, and industrial development. And two months ago, the South African Department of Trade and Industries launched its long aw...
Source: Pharmalot - Category: Pharma Commentators Authors: Source Type: blogs