US State-By-State Analysis Shows Benefits Of Funding Global Health Research 07/05/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments In the current atmosphere in the United States of funding cuts for global health threats like malaria and HIV/AIDS by the Trump Administration, a new state-by-state analysis claims to show its profound implications for research and jobs across the country.
Evergreened Patents Cause Unwarranted High Drug Prices, Hinder Growth Of Local Producers – NGOs, Thai Producers Claim 07/05/2018 by Sinfah Tunsarawuth for Intellectual Property Watch 17 Comments BANGKOK – Transnational drug manufacturers’ tactics of obtaining unmerited patent applications have unnecessarily raised healthcare costs and impeded the growth of domestic generic drug industry, costing the Thai government hundreds of millions of dollars, drug access campaigners and local producers have said.
Civil Society Key In TRIPS Flexibility Implementation 04/05/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 22 Comments When the agreement on intellectual property was adopted by the World Trade Organization, a number of flexibilities were included in the text, mainly to give developing countries policy space to implement the agreement with development considerations. However, some countries through lack of awareness or economic pressure have not used those flexibilities fully, and found themselves facing difficulties addressing their public health needs, which some associate with this failure to use the flexibilities. Civil society has engaged in notable efforts to counter pressure and raise policymakers’ awareness for a wider access to medicines.
Brazil’s Federal Court Reviews Medicines Mailbox Patents 04/05/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment This week the media reported that the Brazilian federal court removed the patent protection for eculizumab, sold under the brand name Soliris by Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Eculizumab is used in the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare and life-threatening blood disease. The product was approved by the US FDA for this indication in 2016. Brazil’s health care system spent $184.2 million to treat 442 patients with Soliris, an average of over $416,000 per patient. The patent office expects that more revocations may follow. This blog explains why this is.
World Health Assembly 2018 Preview: Guide To Key Issues 03/05/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The World Health Organization celebrated its 70th anniversary last month. Since the inception of the organisation, the world has changed, and so have its challenges. The global rise of non-communicable diseases is one example of those challenges, as well as the escalating prices of new medicines and chronic access issues in many countries. The annual World Health Assembly will open on 21 May with an ambitious new General Programme of Work for 2019-2023, which promises 1 billion more people under universal health coverage.
Ukraine Eyes Patent Law Reform After Civil Society Push On Medicines Access 30/04/2018 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 14 Comments Ukrainian lawmakers are poised to approve sweeping patent reform legislation, driven in large part by a push by patients’ groups for better access to affordable medicines and healthcare.
Patentes Sem A Realização De Análise Técnica: Uma Péssima Solução Para O Século 21 30/04/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Historicamente, o Brasil se encontra na vanguarda dos países em desenvolvimento, pressionando por um regime de propriedade intelectual (PI) mais equilibrado.
Patents Without Examination: A Bad Solution For The 21st Century 30/04/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch 7 Comments The Brazilian government’s plan to deal with its patent backlog by making approvals without review is a recipe for disaster. It will move the backlog to the courts, with endless suits over duplicative and frivolous patents, write Arjun Jayadev and Dean Baker.
Geneva Developed Country Attachés For IP And Health To Meet 30/04/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Developed country attachés in Geneva for intellectual property and for health are invited to meet in a closed session tomorrow to exchange information in the run-up to the annual World Health Assembly taking place in late May.
USTR IP Report Sparks Outcry Among Health Advocates 27/04/2018 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The annual Special 301 report of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued today sparked a quick outcry among health advocates over its seemingly more restrictive approach they say bullies other countries into unfairly promoting US pharmaceutical industry rights to an extent that would raise drug prices and limit accessibility.