The pharmaceutical industry presents one of India’s most successful stories of economic expansion and improvements in public health. Indian firms have made access to quality medicines possible and affordable in many developing countries. Indian pharmaceuticals are also exported on a large scale to the United States and other highly regulated markets. A wave of mergers, acquisitions and tie-ups point to growing integration between Indian firms and global pharma multinationals.
The Politics of the Pharmaceutical Industry and Access to Medicines: World Pharmacy and India examines this important industry from different economic, social and political perspectives. Topics covered include the implications of TRIPS-compliant intellectual property rights, the role of flexibilities under TRIPS, the market regulation system, the role of Indian firms in exporting HIV/AIDS medications to Africa, the issue of free trade agreements, the power and reach of foreign pharmaceutical multinationals in India’s domestic market, and the sustainability of India as a major generics supplier.
“... this extremely well written and edited book deals with the threats and challenges related to access to pharmaceuticals at national and global level eg TRIPS plus agendas, ACTA , FTAs in the time to come. It is a must read for those dealing with public policies, public health, access to medicines, equity in health in India and in developing countries”
Dr Mira Shiva, M.D. Health Action International ( Asia Pacific ) and Peoples Health Movement
“.... The authors are well informed, and several are themselves personally engaged in the litigation or policy debates they describe. The Book provides a useful report on many different initiatives and controversies, presenting relevant facts and a number of shrewd insights. The strongest parts of the book are the detailed reports on counties or regions, several of which focus on India — the most important country as regards the global supply of generic medicines. I learned a great deal from each chapter of the book.”
James Love Director, Knowledge Ecology International, Washington