Ramadoss asks Novartis to withdraw patent case

Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has appealed to Swiss pharmaceutical major Novartis to withdraw its challenge against certain provisions of the Indian patent law which prevent patenting of incremental innovations in the country.

Regretting that the company had never approached the health ministry for a negotiation before moving in the court, the minister said the matter should be settled in such a manner that makes medicines affordable.

"India has not issued any compulsory licence till date. I wish they (foreign players) do not create a situation where India has to go for the compulsory licensing to ensure medicines at affordable prices," the minister said.

The minister's comments have come at a time when the Madras High Court completed the hearings on Novartis's appeal against certain provisions of the Indian Patent Act which resulted in the rejection of its patent plea on Glivec, a blockbuster blood cancer drug.

The high court is expected to announce a date to make its observations on the case soon.

The legal battle involving the Indian government and Novartis is been keenly watched by multinational companies, domestic generic manufacturers and NGOs.

The US India Business Council (USIBC) had recently called the Glivec case "a litmus test", and opined that "if India chooses to protect the intellectual property of Novartis, it will help open a floodgate of investment into India's pharmaceutical industry, propelling India onto the center stage as a destination for innovation, R&D, and breakthrough medicine."

Global NGOs and India's Left parties had been highly critical about the issue as they felt Novartis case might curtail the country's rights to ensure affordable medicines for the poor.

The minister's comments have added strength to the NGO position.