As part of its efforts to provide the first-hand information on IPR related issues prevailing in other countries, the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) will establish 'Patents Facilitation Centres' in Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. The first centre will be launched in Hyderabad on July 11.

The setting up of a special 'Patents Facilitation Centres' will prove to be a big relief to the pharmaceutical industry, especially the small and medium units which have to export their products to such countries where the IPR related issues prevailing in that country are not easily accessible. In the absence of information about the laws prevailing in these exporting nations, the small and medium scale companies very often infringe laws leading to prolonged legal battle.

Though the big companies can afford to set up their own IPR Cells in their individual companies, the small and medium companies may not be able to set up such cells due to financial constraints. The 'Patents Facilitation Centres' being established by the Pharmexcil will come to the rescue of such companies by disseminating information regarding the IPR in each and every exporting country.

Earlier the Union chemicals ministry had allocated Rs 20 lakh to the Pharmexcil for setting up an IPR Cell in Hyderabad to provide IPR related information to the industry, especially the small and medium scale units. The ministry had also promised a grant of Rs 1crore each year from next financial year for the working of the Cell.

The role of the 'Patents Facilitation Centres' will be that of helping the members in filing patents in other countries. It will simply guide the members about the processes to be followed while trading with other countries so that they do not land up in any IPR related issues.

Apart from disseminating all needed information regarding the IPR in other countries, the IPR Cell will also conduct awareness programmes like seminars in major cities so that the industry will get a first-hand information on IPR relates issues prevailing in other countries.