Patent (Amendment) Bill compromises 'Right to Health

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Plea to Centre: Patent (Amendment) Bill compromises 'Right to Health "

A non-governmental organisation, Empower, has urged the Centre to stop the

efforts being made to bring an ordinance for amending the Patent Act and to take

steps to table a bill on the issue in Parliament for discussion.

In a memorandum to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, the Executive Director,

A. Sankar, said if the Government adopted a stance to go ahead with its

intention of amending the Act without public opinion, it would become a

violation of the Common Minimum Programme of the United Progressive Alliance.

He said the CMP had promised to take all steps for ensuring availability of

lifesaving drugs at reasonable prices.

" We fear that the Patent (Amendment) Bill compromises on accessibility and

availability of medicines, one of the primary components of 'Right to Health, "

Mr. Sankar said.

Source: The Hindu, November 4, 2004, Tuticorin.

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Yours in Global Concern

A. SANKAR

Executive Director

EMPOWER

107J / 133E, puram

TUTICORIN-628 008

INDIA

E-mail: <ttn_empower@...>