India Issues First Compulsory Licence
Groundbreaking Move Sets Precedent for Overcoming Drug Price Barriers
12 March 2012, New Delhi/Geneva – In a landmark case, the Indian Patent Office has issued the first-ever compulsory licence in India to a generic drug manufacturer. This effectively ends German pharmaceutical company Bayer’s monopoly in India on the drug sorafenib tosylate used to treat kidney and liver cancer. The Patent Office acted on the basis that not only had Bayer failed to price the drug at a level that made it accessible and affordable, it also was unable to ensure that the medicine was available in sufficient and sustainable quantities within India.
New Delhi/Geneva, 5 September 2012 Bayer compulsory licence hearing has concluded and the judgment order will be issued in the coming weeks.
Photo: India 2008 © Jean-Marc Giboux/Getty Images
(via socialgoodmoms)
Source: doctorswithoutborders
