Pros And Cons Of Sorafenib Tosylate

The patented invention is Sorafenib Tosylate (ST), a palliative medicine for hepato-cellular carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma and affects a very small percentage of the population (Kurian 2011, p. 13351). The drug is administered only on prescription and supervision of oncologists and the patients are at stage IV of the disease and the drug admittedly improves the quality of life in the last months of the afflicted ones. CL is one of the major flexibilities allowed under the WTO agreement on TRIPS and represents a crucial measure for some of the poorest countries in the world, to gain improved access to affordable medicines which are safe and effective (Reichman 2009, p 9). Multinational pharmaceutical companies do see the benefit and significant potential in selling drugs in India yet know the challenges and implications in doing so. The main concerns are raised with regards to the Intellectual property …show more content…
TRIPs only enabled countries with major public health concerns to issue CL for the manufacture of patent protected medicines in their own territory (Ashurst 2006, p 1-2.). However in 2001, developing countries were concerned with the narrow approach of the TRIPS agreement which led to further talks and initiation of the Doha Declaration 2001 which focuses on clarifying the scope of TRIPS and promoting access to medicines for all. TRIPS agreements have been criticized implying CL are near impossible to exercise and additionally lengthy patent periods for TRIPS have been slowing entry of generics to the markets and perceived as growing the multinational companies in developed countries rather than promoting growth in developing countries which can ultimately lead to reduced access to ST. Systematic issuance of CLs can set negative precedent, lead to overuse and reduce incentive to invest in the R&D of new medicines that address unmet medical needs (Chatterjee 2013, p.