Balancing the right to know and the privacy of the patent system: a case study of oncology medicines in Thailand. (2013)

Balancing the right to know and the privacy of the patent system: a case study of oncology medicines in Thailand.

Inthira Yamabhai; Richard D. Smith

Abstract: This study aims to illustrate the processes to determine medicine patent status in developing countries by using oncology medicine in Thailand as a case study. From 88 active ingredients, 31 active ingredients were found to have been filed for patent protection in Thailand, while seven medicines were unable to be verified as being patented. Patent identification is very complex and time-consuming, which leads to the inability to identify patented medicine. As such, developing countries may therefore find that they pay more than required for some medicines simply due to this lack of information. Government authorities in developing countries should therefore strengthen their systems for gathering, validating and disseminating patent information for pharmaceuticals to ensure that disclosure is on par with the developed world.

Full Text: http://www.inderscience.com/info/inarticle.php?artid=57623