Left Discusses Patents Issue With Govt

LEADERS of the Left parties had a lengthy discussion with three union ministers – Pranab Mukherjee, Kamal Nath and Kapil Sibal on the proposed Amendment to the Patents Act Bill and connected matters on November 19. The Left parties were represented by S Ramachandran Pillai and Sitaram Yechury from CPI(M), A B Bardhan and D Raja from CPI, D Biswas from Forward Bloc and Abani Roy from RSP.

It was pointed out that the on basis on the TRIPs agreement India is shifting patents regime from process to products. It was also felt that this could have serious implications particularly for pharmaceutical and chemical industries. The government was told that it should utilise whatever flexibility is available in the TRIPs and the Doha agreement to protect the interests of the country. As an example the very definition of invention could be tightened, it was stressed by the Left.

The Left leaders stressed that there is a strong possibility of monopolies developing in a big way as a result of the patent system and suggested that this could be met through the system of compulsory licensing. This can also be used to ensure the availability of patented products at affordable prices. (INN)