Intellectual Property Rights and the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry*

1-9Summary -The genesis of the Indian Patents Act 1970 is outlined. The expectations of the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry from the Act are described. Need for assessing the impact of the Act, particularly on the pharmaceutical industry of the country, is stressed. The Act having the shortest validity period of any patent in any country in the world, has probably caused a decline in the patent filing for pharmaceuticals. The type of patent system needed for the country is analysed. Recent developments related to patent laws in different countries are described. The Indian dilemma, whether to continue with a diluted patent act or move towards strengthening of intellectual property laws in line with many other countries of the world, is presented