[Commons-Law] NDTV: Indian Patents Bill likely to be passed

[Ram]

Patents Bill likely to be passed

NDTV Correspondent

Tuesday, March 22, 2005 (New Delhi):

The Patents Bill is likely to be passed in Parliament today after the
Left said most of its demands had been met by the government.

Ten of the 12 objections made by the Left have been settled.

They include 'compulsory licensing' of pharmaceutical companies, right
to challenge the grant of a patent before it is granted and protection
to small Indian drug companies.

Two outstanding issues will be discussed after the bill is passed.

They include drug prices and inadequate protection to India's
traditional forms of medicines and grains.

These issues will be sent to an expert committee.

The passage of the bill would be a shot in the arm for the Congress as
the BJP wanted the bill to be referred to a select committee.

Opposition by NDA

Yesterday, the government was forced to defer the controversial
Patents (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha by a day in the face of strong
opposition by the NDA.

The heat is on Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath who finds
himself in the unenviable position of defending the Bill against both
the opposition NDA, which incidentally drafted the original bill when
it was in power, and against one the UPA allies, the RJD.

Both the NDA and RJD want the bill to be sent to a Parliamentary
committee. This could cause another delay, which the government cannot
afford because the Patents Ordinance will expire on April 10.