EU court ruling deals a setback to generics arm; bulk active makers suffer from inability to supply samples to generic firms.(European Union)

Chemical Market Reporter, August, 1997

Bulk active makers suffer from inability to supply samples to generic firms. EFFORTS BY THE BULK pharmaceutical actives sector in Western Europe to have patent restrictions on their activities lifted received a setback as a result of a decision by the European Court of Justice (ECJ), the European Union's highest court.

The decision has also widened the gap between the EU and North America over the issue of regulations enabling development work to be done on generic versions of drugs before their patent protection expires. The ECJ ruling highlights differences in interpretation of the Uruguay Round's TRIPs agreement on protection of intellectual property rights. The US and Canadian governments claim TRIPs allows generic companies to prepare...

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