Current Affairs - Bills and Acts - Discussion

The Indian Patents Act, of 1970, includes provisions for compulsory licensing under Section 84, allowing the government or third parties to produce patented drugs without the patent owner's consent under specific conditions. This is particularly crucial for making life-saving medicines accessible and affordable for rare disease patients. The Act balances patent protection with public health needs, ensuring that intellectual property rights do not hinder essential medical access. Recent demands by rare disease patients highlight the ongoing relevance of this legal provision in addressing healthcare affordability in India.