On December 27th, China passed a new patent law that will allow domestic Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturers to manufacture knock-offs of on-patent medicines – and export them to third countries. According to Yin Xintian, director the regulations department of China’s State Intellectual Property Office, the new law will “ensure patients can get the drugs they need when they need them.”
It will also be a boon to China’s pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Oh well, at least we know that quality won’t be a problem.
The new Chinese law is based on TRIPS – and is the latest example of how international organizations are wrecking havoc with the keystone of medical innovation – intellectual property rights.
It should also serve as a potent reminder that Secretary of State-Designate Hillary Clinton will indeed have an important role in healthcare reform – albeit of an international nature. And the implications for continued U.S. support of intellectual property rights could be profound.
Many in healthcare policy land were pleased that Senator Clinton was tapped by President-Elect Obama to head the State Department because it would (in the words of more than a few) “get her out of the healthcare reform debate.”
Not so fast.
By moving into the corner office at Foggy Bottom, Mrs. Clinton will be a force majeure in global healthcare issues by dint of her ability to appoint and otherwise influence the United States delegations to the many Geneva-based organizations that address issues such as compulsory licensing (the World Trade Organization) and access to healthcare issues (the World Health Organization).
The U.S. has long been a bulwark in support of global intellectual property rights – and Mrs. Clinton should be questioned about her views on this and related issues during her upcoming Senate confirmation hearing.
It will also be a boon to China’s pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Oh well, at least we know that quality won’t be a problem.
The new Chinese law is based on TRIPS – and is the latest example of how international organizations are wrecking havoc with the keystone of medical innovation – intellectual property rights.
It should also serve as a potent reminder that Secretary of State-Designate Hillary Clinton will indeed have an important role in healthcare reform – albeit of an international nature. And the implications for continued U.S. support of intellectual property rights could be profound.
Many in healthcare policy land were pleased that Senator Clinton was tapped by President-Elect Obama to head the State Department because it would (in the words of more than a few) “get her out of the healthcare reform debate.”
Not so fast.
By moving into the corner office at Foggy Bottom, Mrs. Clinton will be a force majeure in global healthcare issues by dint of her ability to appoint and otherwise influence the United States delegations to the many Geneva-based organizations that address issues such as compulsory licensing (the World Trade Organization) and access to healthcare issues (the World Health Organization).
The U.S. has long been a bulwark in support of global intellectual property rights – and Mrs. Clinton should be questioned about her views on this and related issues during her upcoming Senate confirmation hearing.
