Compulsory Licensing

March 31, 2015

Pro-innovation policies and increased access to medicines are not mutually exclusive. To the contrary, they should go hand-in-hand for the benefit of patients.  A thoughtful assessment of the policies and decisions relating to Compulsory Licenses needs to be made, on a case-by-case basis.  The flexibility in the law should be used judiciously, only for humanitarian non-commercial use, in treating diseases which fall in the category of epidemic or communicable diseases and taking into account a number of factors. In no case should a Compulsory License be granted without allowing an opportunity to the patent-holder to share how it will help increase access to the drug in a sustainable way.    Zoom Kobe 1 Protro