Industry & Economy
-
IPR
Medical reps oppose Patents Act change
Our Bureau
Hyderabad
,
March 18
OPPOSING the amendment to the Patents Act of 1970, medical and sales representatives have written to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, appealing against grant of product patents in the agriculture, pharmaceutical, chemical and software sectors.
The amendment, if passed, would pave the way for exploitation of the people by MNCs and increased dependence, they added.
Speaking to newspersons on Friday, leaders of Andhra Pradesh Medical and Sales Representatives' Union (APMSRU) asked the Government not to introduce the Bill in Parliament.
"If passed, the amendment would have a serious impact on healthcare delivery. The prices of drugs will increase drastically, making it difficult for people to get access to medicine," they warned.
Mr H.V. Nerlekar and Mr P. Vijay Bhasker Reddy, President and Secretary respectively of APMSRU's Hyderabad branch, said that the Act gave a shield to agricultural, food and health sectors.
They wanted the Bill to be referred to an expert committee or standing committee of Parliament and seek views from different sectors.
Faced with opposition in Parliament, the Government issued an Ordinance amending the Act on December 26, 2004. "As a result, a patent regime began in India with effect from January 1," they said. Mr Nerlekar said that the association would run a signature campaign on March 23 at General Post Office (Abids), drawing people's support on this issue.
Expressing solidarity with APMSRU, APSRTC Staff and Workers' Federation and Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham have also written to the Prime Minister asking him not to go ahead with the Bill.
Article
E-Mail
::
Comment
::
Syndication
::
Printer Friendly Page
|
