Changing Trade Rules in India Could Impede Access to Generic Drugs

Generic drugs produced in India "could cost more and be harder to access if the country has to adhere to stricter intellectual property rules," Reuters reports, noting that the country supplies the "bulk" of AIDS medicines that go developing countries. The article cites a new Journal of the International AIDS Society study, written by a UNITAID official and other experts, that said Indian trade deals have "have already begun to complicate efforts to get cheap, life-saving drugs to poorer countries." The study authors also said trade talks between India and the EU could result in extended patent terms, data exclusivity and border enforcement, which could increase the price of antiretrovirals (ARVs), limit dosage options and delay access (MacInnis, 9/14).

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