Question : Grant of Licences to Pharma Companies

(a) whether the Government has given a verbal assurance to the US-India Business Council (USIBC) on not granting compulsory licenses to Indian pharmaceutical companies as revealed by the submission made by USIBC to the US Trade Representative and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the total number of applications for compulsory licensing under Section 92 of the Patent Act, 1970 made during the last three years including those rejected; and

(c) whether the Ministry has collaborated with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to collect data on diseases that could be treated affordably if compulsory licensing was granted under Section 92 to certain drugs and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
(SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)


(a): No, Madam.

(b): During the last three years two applications for Compulsory Licensing under Section 92 of the Patent Act, 1970 have been received by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.

(c): No, Madam

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