Pharmacies of the Developing World

India is known for manufacturing cheaper generic medicines. Unfortunately, many Western pharmacy companies and governments are complaining about India?s conduct of patent laws. International trade agreements protect medicines against unnecessary patenting, which enables more competition among generic drug companies. Doctors agree that India?s many generic manufacturers provide patients with better access to lower-priced medicines. But major pharmaceutical companies feel threatened by India?s hold of the drug market.

Pharmaceutical company Novartis recently lost a legal battle that questioned India?s patent policies. In response to the loss, the company is trying to neutralize the copyright laws through the Indian Supreme Court. Another company threatening India?s generic-related laws is Bayer, which attempted to delay the local approval procedure for generics release after a patent expires. A greater impending threat may also result from trade negotiations among Japan, India, and the European Union.

These drastic legal actions are not only threatening India?s generic market. Healthcare across the world will be compromised, including HIV treatment administered in Africa and certain Asian countries. Indian generic manufacturers provided a much cheaper alternative in HIV/AIDS treatment, and this Indian alternative only costs one dollar a day. Branded medicine companies, on the other hand, charged an annual price of $12,000 for HIV/AIDS treatment.

Without the alternative generic AIDS price, aid agencies such as Doctors Without Borders would be unable to buy 80 percent of its treatment given to developing countries. Another agency that provides generic AIDS/HIV medicines is the U.S. global AIDS program, PEPFAR. About 90 percent of the drugs administered to 13 countries come from generic Indian manufacturers. Without the alternative generics from India, millions around the world will suffer and die from AIDS.

India continues to follow international policies regarding intellectual property and trade. In 2005, local patent laws were amended for the nation to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). India grants 20-year patents on medicines as required from all WTO members. Local policies also protect branded medicines from unwarranted patents. Major amendments banned patent extensions and price monopolies of specific medicines. One example is when the Delhi Network of Positive People was able to challenge U.S. multinational Gilead Sciences? patent on tenofovir, which is known as the backbone of AIDS medications.

Western companies and trade departments feel threatened by India?s safeguard of patent laws and generic drug producers. The US has recently placed India under its ?Priority Watch List?, citing that the country has weak intellectual property rights and patent law enforcement. Recent trade agreements are proposing a stricter patent policy, which will compromise India?s ability to supply developing countries with cheaper medicine alternatives.

Western companies need to consider the impact of their actions. Without inexpensive medicine alternatives, millions of individuals suffering from AIDS will lose hope and lead shorter lives.

Indian pharmacies usually operate as online businesses. Online pharmacy reviews are available for everyone?s easy reference. These reviews provide information on the company?s products and services. Reading pharmacy online reviews must always be done before buying from the Web.