UK Pharma Giant GSK Won't Patent Its Drugs in Poorer Countries

Glyn Moody, reporting for Ars Technica: The UK pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced that it will not be routinely patenting its drugs around the world. Instead of applying for patents on its medicines in all regions, it will now take into account the economic development of the country before deciding whether to seek monopoly protection there. As a result, a poorer country can encourage local manufacturers to create cheaper generic versions of GSK's products, and thus provide them to a greater number of its population, potentially saving many lives. Specifically, GSK says: "For Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Low Income Countries (LICs), GSK will not file patents for its medicines, so as to give clarity and confidence to generic companies seeking to manufacture and supply generic versions of GSK medicines in those countries." Might sound weird but, this makes economic sense for GlaxoSmithKline. Applying for and defending a patent could cost a huge chunk of money. Then there are application and overhead expenses when selling a drug to different markets.

Comments

Re:Just up the US price to cover the loss

[Applehu Akbar]

We already pay more in the US to cover the cost of lower prices in other countries. That is part of how other countries can get better prices.

You just drank the overpriced prescription Kool-Aid. Pharma companies sell for profit in EVERY country they routinely market to. The US monopoly prices are because we're not allowed to shop around, and have nothing to do with lower prices in any other country.