Patent Act 2022 needs to be revised to make medicines affordable: Speakers
Staff Reporter :
Under the TRIPS Agreement of the World Trade Organisation, Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies can manufacture patented medicines without a fee until 2029, but afterward, medicine prices may increase due to patent fees.
Taking this issue into consideration, civil society representatives have suggested immediate pursuit of self-reliance in raw materials (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) to ensure affordable availability of medicines for everyone.
The observation came at a seminar titled “Bridging the Gap: TRIPS and Enhanced Access to Medicines in Bangladesh” organised by COAST Foundation in collaboration with the Third World Network at CIRDAP auditorium in the capital on Thursday.
The seminar was presided over by Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Chairman of Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation. The event was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Executive Director of COAST Foundation, with Md. Mujibul Haque Munir presenting a keynote paper.
Other speakers include Dr. Sudip Chaudhuri, Former Professor of Indian Institute of Management, Rashid -E-Mahbub, President of the National Committee on Health Movement, Farida Akhtar of Ubinig, Sharif Jamil of Waterkeeper Bangladesh, Ranja Sengupta, and Pratibha Sivasubramanian of the Third World Network.
The participants opined that the Patent Act of 2022 must address existing loopholes and make full use of TRIPS flexibilities.
Md. Mujibul Haque Munir stressed the importance of medicine availability, as 44 per cent of healthcare expenses in Bangladesh are spent on medicines.
The pharmaceutical industry has made significant progress, meeting around 98 per cent of the country’s demand and exporting medicines to approximately 147 countries, he said.
However, the country currently does not pay fees for patented medicines, which might change once it becomes a developing country.
He proposed self-reliance in raw materials, putting emphasis on research and development in the pharmaceutical sector, fighting corruption in the health sector, and ensuring universal health insurance for all.
Dr. Sudip Chowdhury emphasised the need for Bangladesh to achieve self-reliance in raw materials for medicines, requiring government policy support to establish a domestic raw material market.
Pratibha Sivasubramanian called for amendments to the Patent Act 2022, suggesting domestic companies be given the opportunity to obtain Compulsory Licenses to break patent rights and manufacture necessary medicines. She also stressed the importance of transparency in the patent process.
Farida Akhtar highlighted the significance of not treating medicine as a mere product and addressed the issue of domestic companies engaging in monopolistic practices.
Dr. Rashid E. Mahbub pointed out the need for increased funding for research and political will to achieve accessible medicine for all and resolve pharmaceutical industry challenges.
Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman proposed a joint research system between universities and pharmaceutical companies, requiring policy and financial support from the government.
He also emphasised developing skilled manpower to adapt to future industry changes and increasing allocation for the entire health sector.
Acknowledging country’s pharmaceutical achievements, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury underscored the need for self-reliance in the industry within the next eight years to ensure affordable medicine accessible for all.
