We are pleased to inform you that the Working Group on Access to Medicines and Treatments is organizing a webinar today to examine the impact of the EFTA-India Free Trade Agreement and the Patents Rules Amendment. The discussion is free and open to all to attend. For further details, please see the announcement below:
Webinar on EFTA-India Trade Deal & Amendments to Patent Rules: Threat to Affordable MedicinesWebinar [April 26, 2024]
India signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the four-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA) on 10 March 2024, incorporating intellectual property (IP) provisions that could undermine the production of generic drugs and access to affordable medicines. These TRIPS plus measures might lead to changes in India’s laws, negatively affecting the availability of cheaper medicines both domestically and internationally.
Just a week after signing the FTA, amendments to the patent rules were passed. Some contentious points include the controller’s consideration of pre-grant opposition within just one month, the requirement for submitting Form 27 (the statement of working of patents) once every three years instead of annually, and a perceived weakening of Section 8 (Information and undertaking regarding foreign applications). There are concerns that these rules will impact access to medicines in India and diminish the role of patient groups and civil society organizations in protecting the interests of the people.
Against this backdrop, the working group on access to medicines and treatments is organizing a webinar to examine the impact of the EFTA-India Free Trade Agreement and the Patents Rules Amendment.
Speakers
Biswajit Dhar
International Trade Expert and Distinguished Professor,
Council for Social Development, Delhi
Leena Menghaney
Public Health, Intellectual Property and Access to Treatment Expert
MSF Access Campaign
Date
26th April, 2024
Time
6 to 7 pm (Indian Standard Time)
Registration Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NrWeWEGJQGqOT9mtIWTxDw