Altered Patents Bill clears Lok Sabha

 The Lok Sabha has passed the Patents (Amendment) Bill after the government agreed to 13 changes sought by the Left parties and clarified on two of their demands.

Commerce Minister Kamal Nath assured the House that adequate safeguards existed in the Bill to protect the interest of the domestic pharmaceuticals industry and the poor people.

 The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) walked out after its demand for referring the Bill to a standing committee was not accepted by the government.  The Bill seeks to replace an Ordinance promulgated on December 23 to meet the country