Is Intellectual Property Protection Raising the Drug Bill in Developing Countries?
by Rozek and Berkowitz, prices are not systematically higher in countries with patent protection. In developing countries, the World Health Organization recommends that public health efforts focus on drugs deemed essential. It publishes the Essential Drug List, made up largely of drugs no longer protected by patents. Patents therefore play little role in pricing or access. Many developing countries do not yet have laws that comply with an international accord called TRIPS (Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights), which requires effective protection of patents. In some of these countries, such as India, generic copies of patented AIDS drugs are being produced. Parts of India and Africa still do not have access to these copied versions, suggesting that factors other than patents are involved.
