Patent policy and public health in developing countries: lessons from Japan

The introduction of pharmaceutical product patents in India and other developing countries is expected to have a significant effect on public health and local pharmaceutical industries. This paper draws implications from the historical experience of Japan when it introduced product patents in 1976. In Japan, narrow patents and promotion of cross-licensing were effective tools to keep drug prices in check while ensuring the introduction of new drugs. While the global pharmaceutical market surrounding India today differs considerably from that of the 1970's, the Japanese experience offers a policy option that may profitably be considered by India today. The Indian patent system emphasizes the patentability requirement in contrast to the Japanese patent policy which relied on narrow patents and extensive licensing. R&D by local firms and the development of local products may be promoted more effectively under the Japanese model.

SARSとマラリア：感染症と経済学

近年、感染症が注目を集めている。一昨年の冬は東アジアでSARS（重症急性呼吸器症候群）が流行した。SARSは新型肺炎とも呼ばれ、中国および香港を中心に感染が広がった。日本にはSARSに感染した台湾人男性が数日間滞在したことから、この男性の訪問先が善後策に追われたことが記憶に新しい。この冬も再流行が懸念されたのであるが、対策が進んだためか、感染は中国で4人が確認されるに止まっているようである。（以下略）