Indian parliament passes patents bill amid criticism

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2005

NEW DELHI (AFP) — India's upper house of parliament passed a law prohibiting the copying of patented drugs, despite strong criticism that the legislation would prohibit the manufacture of low-cost generic drugs.

Health activists said the law would affect the provision of cheaper generic drugs to millions of HIV-AIDS and cancer sufferers poorer countries, a claim disputed by drugs firms.

The Patent (Amendment) Bill was passed by the 250-member upper house of parliament the day after it was approved by 545-member lower house on Tuesday. The opposition staged a walkout in both the houses.

The approval paves the way for the bill, which prohibits domestic firms from copying low-cost generic versions of patented drugs, to become law.

It aims to ensure...