------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the FRIDAY BALCAO Read the Balcao Synopsis on the website http://www.goadesc.org/balcao/ ------------------------------------------------------
Dear Cybergaokars on GoaNet,
Friday Balcao the fortnightly discussion event to be held on 4th March will focus on the Amendment to the Indian Patent Act of 1970 and its implications.
The UPA government has given effect to the Third Amendment to the Patents Act through the promulgation of an ordinance effective from 1st January 2005.
The Amendment is ostensibly intended to introduce a full-fledged product patent regime to make our patent legislation compatible with TRIPs. The ultimate undoing of the Patents Act 1970 is thus sought to be accomplished in a non-transparent manner without any deliberations in the Parliament.
Patents and medicine are inextricably inter-linked. Patents act as a monopoly. Drug companies possess separate monopolies over many life-saving and other drugs, including those that treat HIV-AIDS.
As monopolists, these companies have no compunctions about fixing high prices for essential drugs. High prices create a clear divide between the rich who can afford the medicine and the poor who cannot.
On the other hand, India's thriving pharmaceutical industry has shown that the price fixed by the monopolists has nothing to do with the cost of production. Indian generic manufacturers export generic medicines to over 200 countries. Indian generic pharmaceutical companies by bringing down prices of medicines have greatly facilitated access to anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment.
What impact will the Amendment have on people in India living with HIV & other ailments like cancer & cardiovascular diseases ? How does the amendment deprive the citizens of their fundamental rights to oppose wrongful grants of patents ? Should not such a complex legislation of far reaching importance have been a subject matter of a thorough, public examination by an Independent Commission ? How will consumers get affected by this Amendment ?
The Balcao discussion will cover these questions and and also evolve an agenda for action by citizens on the issue.
Friday Balcao will be from 4pm to 6pm at the Goa Desc Resource Centre No.11 Liberty Apartments Feira Alta, Mapusa and is open to members of the public.
Those citizens who would like to receive the regular invitation to Friday Balcao and a one page synopsis of the fortnightly session can subscribe for the same by sending Rs.100/- to cover printing and mailing costs.
Interested citizens wanting more information on Friday Balcao can phone on 2252660 or by email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
best wishes,
Roland Martins ======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =======================================
