India’s government proposed on Friday to change the country’s patent laws to make it illegal to copy patented drugs, a practice that has made cheaper medicines available in India and abroad. The bill proposed to parliament, which also covers other products such as chemicals, mobile phones and computers, would fulfil India’s commitment to the World Trade Organization to recognize patents from Jan. 1, 2005.But the legislation faces huge resistance from the ruling coalition’s communist allies and opposition parties who are concerned about the availability of affordable drugs in India.Domestic pharmaceutical companies and aid organizations working in developing countries have also expressed concerns.The existing patent law has allowed drug makers to copy patented drugs as long as they use a different process. It has fostered a strong drug manufacturing industry in India for more than three decades.The government argues, however, that patent recognition is an essential pre-condition for India’s drug industry to further its own drug research and development or attract foreign partners.The country is already the world’s fourth-largest producer of medicines by volume but ranks only 13th by value, reflecting the very low prices of products in the local market.India issued a presidential decree at the end of December but the change needs to be ratified by parliament within six months.
