NHRC seeks govt report on generic medicines

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a report from Ministries of Commerce and Health on reports that the government has restrained production of cheaper versions of generic medicines.

“NHRC has taken serious view of media reports that India has given 'private reassurance' to US-India Business Council that its Patent Office will take a more restrained approach in handing out licences to produce cheaper versions of drugs patented with the American firms, which, allegedly, will deny the people of the country access to generic medicines at affordable prices,” said an NHRC statement. 

“Reportedly, at least two applications for compulsory licences to produce, domestically, generic versions of drugs patented in America were rejected last year,” said an NHRC statement.