The EU’s intellectual property system provides drugmakers with protection from competitors for a period of time. It is designed to recoup the often-high development costs and incentivize the industry to discover new and life-changing treatments. But there is strong debate over whether these incentives are too generous, and, also, being abused to block cheaper competition. Layers of protection per product extend market monopolies and often lead to lengthy and costly patent litigation between originator and generic companies.
As Europe attempts to rebalance its IP system through the Patent and Pharma Packages, POLITICO will delve into the pros and cons of the patent system in Europe. Does it foster medical innovation? Does it delay patient access to medicines? How is it abused by industry? How can Europe tackle anti-competitive behavior? And how to ensure better predictability for developers of both innovative and generic drugs?
Have your say: POLITICO is hosting an Oxford-style debate on this hot issue with two teams going head-to-head on the motion:
“This House believes that the EU’s intellectual property system strikes the right balance between incentives for medicines innovation and patient access”