Patent Act: Write a letter to your Member of Parliament

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

As you are all aware, the recent patent Ordinance will be introduced in the

parliament in the coming days for its clearance. It has a number of dangerous

clauses and many of these are more than what is actually required under TRIPS

agreement. It is feared that in the near future the prices of a number of

medicines will go up by many folds.

The new patent regime is one thing which will definably affect the way we all

connected with health work in the coming days.

It is very crucial that the Ordinance should not be cleared by the Parliament in

the present form. It should be adequately discussed and changed to reduce the

harm. A desirable outcome at this stage is to make the Bill forwarded to some

parliamentary committee. This will give us time to further negotiate on the

contents.

The policy Advocacy and Research group of CMAI and experts of Affordable

Medicine and Treatment Action Campaign [AMTC} has prepared a document

specifically for the Members of Parliament. This gives details of the

shortcomings in the Ordinance, its impact and proposed changes.

May I request you to courier this to your own Member of Parliament along with a

covering letter. A sample covering letter is attached below.

If you would like to receive the document that we have prepared, i will be happy

to send the same to you.

Thankyou,

Sunita

E-mail: <sunita.abraham@...>

___________________

Sample letter

I am _______________, a voter of your constituency, presently working with

___________________________.

I am writing to you to express my concern regarding the Ordinance to effect the

‘Third Amendment to Patent Act 1970’ and to request you to influence the

contents of the Amendments when the corresponding Bill will be introduced in the

Parliament.

The move from process to product patent will have very negative impact on our

health system. The prices of the essential and life saving medicines which are

being produced by the indigenous pharmaceutical companies under the process

patenting are going to increase exorbitantly and the common citizens of this

country will not be able to afford such medicines. It is frightening to know

that few companies will decide in the future the cost of medicines that are

required to fight against our increasing health problems.

Many experts have noted that the Patent Ordinance 2004, which was promulgated to

comply fully with the TRIPS agreement had failed to utilise the flexibility

available to safeguard our public health. The Ordinance had even incorporated

more than what is actually required under TRIPS agreement.

I therefore urge your intervention in ensuring an extensive debate of it in the

Parliament and incorporate all possible remedial measures to protect the

interests of Indian People.

I am attaching few supporting materials for your perusal. This includes a

document prepared by experts, detailing shortcomings in the patent Act 1970 and

Patent Ordinance 2004 and suggestions for correction.

Thanking you

Yours Faithfully

Sd