People's Democracy

CPI(M) Disapproves Ordinance On Patents Act

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on December 27:

THE government has promulgated an ordinance for amending the Indian Patents Act. This third amendment bill was not taken up during the last session of parliament.

 The CPI(M) had advised the government against the hasty passage of the bill as many measures needed to be taken to protect the interests of the country. There are a whole range of issues connected with the TRIPS agreement and safeguarding of national interests. The bill which has been passed as an ordinance does not serve the purpose.

The Polit Bureau disapproves of the resort to ordinance to pass such an important legislation. Before the ordinance becomes a law, it will be necessary to subject the legislation to further scrutiny and discussion so that the country’s interests and the affordability of drugs for the people are ensured. (INN)