Trade group seeks more US pressure on India over patent protection

FE Team | Published: February 09, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

WASHINGTON, Feb 7 (Reuters): The US Chamber of Commerce on Friday called on the government to ratchet up pressure on India over intellectual property rights, in a move that could help prevent Indian companies from producing cheap generic versions of medicines still under patent protection.
In a submission to the Office of US Trade Representative (USTR), the Chamber of Commerce requested that India be classified a Priority Foreign Country, a tag given to the worst offenders when it comes to protecting intellectual property, and one that could trigger trade sanctions.
India is currently on the US government's Priority Watch List for countries whose practices on protecting intellectual property Washington believes should be monitored closely.
In its new submission, the Global Intellectual Property Centre (GIPC) of the Chamber of Commerce said: "We highlight India as a country with particular challenges with respect to intellectual property protections."
"Because India has not shown a record of engagement on these issues and the environment has deteriorated significantly since last year, we are now recommending that India be designated a Priority Foreign Country," it said.
The perspective from India is that many patented drugs are too costly for most people. The government in New Delhi is pushing to increase access to life-saving treatments where only 15 per cent of 1.2 billion people are covered by health insurance.
India received the lowest score in the trade group's IP Index released last week, performing poorly in all six of its rating categories - patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and market access, enforcement, and membership and ratification of international treaties.
The US industry trade group for drug makers, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), is scheduled to detail its concerns about India and other countries to the US Trade Representative later on Friday.