Select Your Preferred Language

Please choose your language to continue.

Experts flag UK-India FTA over patent terms, access to drugs | Current Affairs | Vision IAS

Daily News Summary

Get concise and efficient summaries of key articles from prominent newspapers. Our daily news digest ensures quick reading and easy understanding, helping you stay informed about important events and developments without spending hours going through full articles. Perfect for focused and timely updates.

News Summary

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Experts flag UK-India FTA over patent terms, access to drugs

1 min read

Concerns over the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

There is growing concern among experts in intellectual property law and civil society groups in India regarding the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, particularly in relation to its impact on compulsory licensing norms and access to affordable medicines.

Compulsory Licensing and Public Interest

  • The Indian Patent Act allows for compulsory licensing of lifesaving medicines during national emergencies in the public interest.
  • This provision enables domestic generic manufacturers to produce and supply essential drugs when needed.

Potential Impact of UK-India FTA

  • The FTA could introduce TRIPS-plus provisions, exceeding WTO standards and risking access to medicines.
  • The FTA emphasizes voluntary licensing, potentially undermining India's right to compulsory licensing.

India's Patent Safeguards

  • Despite concerns, the FTA aims to balance India’s IP regime with public health interests.
  • India's crucial provisions, like Section 3(d) of the Indian Patent Act, preventing patent evergreening, remain intact.
  • Tags :
  • FTA
  • UK-India
Subscribe for Premium Features