How does protection of Intellectual Property Rights pose a barrier for access to affordable medicines?
Introduction
Patents motivate invention. One of the purposes of granting patents is that it may incentivise the
inventor and in turn encourage other individuals to perform similar inventions. Patents grant the
inventors with some exclusive privileges over the invention so that he may reap the fruits of his
labour. However, in the pharmaceutical industry more safeguards are needed so that no one can
use the IPR regime to his benefit.
This essay throws light over how the present Intellectual Property Laws are tactfully used by
pharmaceutical corporations to their benefit. Towards the conclusion the researcher examines
the ways to prevent it and make access to medicines more readily.
Pharmaceutical Industry thrives and expands through protection of intellectual property rights
involved with regard to the pharmaceutical products. The patent law is the key to its growth.1