Indian Supreme Court rejects re-patenting of Glivec - 1255319

certain spring
Posts:762

Another episode in the fascinating saga of patented cancer drugs vs cheaper generics - the Indian supreme court has denied Novartis the right to re-patent Glivec (alternative spelling "Gleevec"), a drug used in chronic myeloid leukaemia and some other cancers:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21991179
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/02/business/global/top-court-in-india-re…
This comes after similar court battles over patent rights to Iressa (gefitinib) and Nexavar (sorafenib).

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Reply # - April 2, 2013, 10:50 AM

catdander
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Thank you certain spring for the articles. India seems to be on the forefront of challenging pharma companies for re-patenting for small changes.
Their bootleg targeted drugs have been discussed several times. Though I don't recall anyone coming forward with knowledge of their efficacy.

Reply # - April 2, 2013, 08:16 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

I think they are presumed to be similarly if not definitively comparable in efficacy, but they don't tend to be formally tested as such. Unfortunately, these issues are very complicated, since the costs of these drugs are so astronomical that the need for less expensive alternatives is very obvious.

-Dr. West

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