India’s newly amended patent rules threaten affordable medicines in the Global South

People’s Health Dispatch "India notified amendments to its patent rules on March 15 this year. Despite opposition by patient groups, activists, civil society and academics, the government has brought in changes that will significantly impact India’s ability to produce generic drugs and maintain access to affordable medicines. This will impact not only India, but also other countries which obtain cheaper medicines from India. It is no coincidence that just five days before the amendments were announced, India signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) that comprises Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Switzerland is home to big pharma companies like Novartis, Roche and Bayer and successfully pressured India to accept TRIPS plus measures in the agreement."

• People’s Health Dispatch