Novartis is a leading pharmaceutical company in India, which produces various drugs for the healthcare of the citizens. In 2006, Novartis requested for the patent rights, because they have made a drug named Glivec for cancer ailment. Three years later, Novartis again requested for the same thing. They added innovation in the cancer ailment drug in India, to protect the citizens from this serious disease. But on Monday the 2nd of April, the Court rejected the request of Novartis. The Supreme court of India claimed that, the innovations of Novartis are minor. It is not satisfactory, and so they will not able to get the patent rights.
There is a concept in India that is known as Patent Rights. These rights are given to the new innovative companies and firms just to set the price against the copy of the innovative product. These patent rights remain for 20 years, in which a producer can make changes with time to time. unfortunately, the court had denied the request of Novartis, it has been reported that, if (in case) the court honored the request of Novartis, then there were so many chances that, the price of the drug will rise up because Novartis is the only leading drug producer company in India, but now due to the court order, the generic companies got the opportunity to create competition among the different firms and companies. There is a big chance that the price of the drugs will decrease due to the high competition.
After hearing the court order, Novartis Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Novartis India, Ranjit Shahani shared his thoughts with themedia. He said that the court decision has ruined the future innovation of India. He added that, this decision has a setback for the patients, they will not be able to get the effective treatment with the generic drugs. He mentioned that Glivec was made to treat the chronic leukemia and other types of cancer, and it is making $2,600 per month, while the generic products were only making $175 in a month.
While the lawyer of Indian Generic Drug manufacturer Cipla, Pratibha Singh said that, the patent has set some principles that they will protect them from the international pharmaceutical companies which are trying to update the existing medicines in India. She said that patent rights will never give to those people who are trying to add little changes in their products just to earn their own profit.
As it has been noticed that after the decision, Novartis shares had fell to 5% in the Bombay Stock exchange, while the generic drug companies like Cipla and Natco rose up after the judgment.
After hearing the orders of the court, there was a celebration by the Generic drugs producing companies, it was like their own victory. Generic drugs are also exported in different developing companies like Africa.
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