In their latest International Bar Association publication, Durgesh Mukharya, Ramya Rao, and Amrish Tiwari explore the complex dynamics of innovation and evergreening in the pharmaceutical industry.
In the pharmaceutical world, innovation drives progress and better healthcare. However, accusations of evergreening—extending patent monopolies unfairly—create tension by delaying the entry of affordable generic drugs into the market. Generics are crucial for countries as they provide essential medications at lower costs, improving access to healthcare for larger populations. The varied approaches of countries like India, the US, Thailand, and Canada highlight this friction and its global impact.
Big Picture:
As medical breakthroughs continue, the question remains: how to balance rewarding true innovation with preventing unfair patent extensions that hinder access to life-saving drugs? Finding this equilibrium is essential for fostering both progress and equity in global health.
Durgesh, Ramya, and Amrish explore these critical questions and insights: