[Commons-Law] Dharna Against patent Ordinance

[lawyers]

THE PATENTS ORDINANCE 

is a Direct Threat to Peoples' Health & Food

PROTEST NOW


26 February 2005, Dharna at Azad Maidan




Dear Friends 


The Patents Ordinance issued by the government of India on 26 December 2004 to amend Patents Act prescribes "TRIPS-PLUS" standards that takes India beyond the commitments agreed to under the TRIPS agreement. Further, it also undermines the flexibility available within TRIPS, as reiterated in the Doha Declaration, to ensure access to medicines to people of India and other developing countries. The Ordinance compromises accessibility and availability of medicines.


Public interest groups in India and abroad are gravely concerned that the Ordinance will trade away India's right to protect public health including availability of low-cost, quality generic medicines. In other words, accepting the Ordinance will have the effect of losing even the minimum space available within the TRIPS agreement to protect public health. 


Apart from pharmaceuticals, the Ordinance also provides patent protection to agro-chemicals and fertilisers enabling the companies to charge monopoly prices. High costs of pesticides will result in costlier foodgrains and will negatively hit consumers, especially the poor.


Against this background, trade unions and public interest groups are holding a mass protest on 26 February 2005 against the Patents (Amendment) Ordinance 2004 in front of Parliament. Protests are happening all over the world on the same day against the Ordinance. In Mumbai, a Dharna will be held at Azad Maidian from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm to express our protest as well as our solidarity to the cause. 


We request your wholehearted support and participation in the Dharna to make it a success.


In Solidarity


Trade Unions Joint Action Committee (Mumbai-Maharashtra)

Forum for HIV/AIDS

Jan Swasthya Abiyaan (Mumbai)

Affordable Medicines and Treatment Campaign (AMTC)

Contact:A D Golandaz (Tel:26501086 , Cell: 9820613995)

K M Gopakumar ( Tel: 22676213, Cell: 9819140881)

Wilson Gaikawad ( Tel: 28505858 / 28515040) 

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