While the Central Government is moving ahead with its attempt to introduce Patent Amendment through Ordinance, protest against the move is gaining momentum in the country.
Soon following AMTC, Empower, a Tuticorin-based non-governmental organisation, has demanded the government to stop the initiative, and to table a bill on the issue in Parliament for discussion instead.
The NGO has submitted a memorandum in this regard to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, it is learnt. It noted the government decision to go ahead with the patent amendment without seeking public opinion is a violation of the Common Minimum Programme of the United Progressive Alliance, as the CMP had promised to take all steps for ensuring availability of lifesaving drugs at reasonable prices.
The Patent (Amendment) Bill compromises on accessibility and availability of medicines, one of the primary components of 'Right to Health,' and therefore the government should refrain from the move, demanded A. Sankar, executive director of Empower in the memorandum.
Affordable Medicines and Treatment Campaign (AMTC), a national movement aiming at the sustained accessibility and affordability of medicines and treatment in India, had recently tried to mobilize mass protest against the government move to introduce Patent Amendment through Ordinance. It had called upon the citizens to send protest mails to Prime Minister against the centre's plan to grant patents for new uses of known molecules and take away the option for pre-grant opposition of patents, Pharmabiz had reported two weeks ago.
AMTC also approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to look into the matter as the amendment in the proposed form goes against Indian citizen's fundamental right to life and health.