Science

A Showdown Over India's Generic Drugs

Indian pharmaceutical companies have traditionally provided the developing world with generic versions of patented drugs. Last year, under pressure from western countries and pharmaceutical companies, India agreed to restrict the number of drugs that could be legally copied. However, India drew the line at extending patent protection to minor modifications of existing drugs, a technique […]

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Indian pharmaceutical companies have traditionally provided the developing world with generic versions of patented drugs. Last year, under pressure from western countries and pharmaceutical companies, India agreed to restrict the number of drugs that could be legally copied.

However, India drew the line at extending patent protection to minor modifications of existing drugs, a technique routinely used to get a few more years of market dominance. Novartis took the Indian government to court. The case is now being heard, and Doctors Without Borders is circulating a petition urging the company to reconsider.

Millions of people around the world today rely on affordable medicines produced in India. India's law contains elements that help put people before patents, but Novartis is taking the Indian government to court to force a change in the law. Neither Novartis, nor any company, should stand in the way of people's right to access the medicines they need.

Drop The Case Petition [Doctors Without Borders]