Wednesday, July 13, 2016
India Grants First Compulsory License to Generic Drug Producer
In a landmark move, the Indian Patent Office announced on Monday that it has issued its first compulsory license to a domestic generic drug-maker. The decision effectively ends German pharmaceutical company Bayer AG's monopoly over an anti-cancer drug and authorises the production of a low-cost version for the Indian market.
Compulsory licensing is when a government authorises a party other than the patent owner to produce the patented product or process, without the patent owner's consent.
New Delhi's decision may pave the way for other Indian generic producers to ask for compulsory licenses on patent-protected medicines if the right-holders fail to supply the products at affordable prices and in sufficient quantities. It could also potentially encourage other developing countries to use compulsory licensing for drugs for non-communicable diseases, which has until now mostly been limited to HIV drugs in these countries, experts say.
India is the world's third-largest pharmaceutical drug producer by volume; in 2011 the domestic pharmaceutical market reached a record of US$12.2 billion in sales. Patents on pharmaceutical products in India have been under the spotlight recently as Swiss drug manufacturer Novartis fights the rejection of a patent on another cancer drug on the grounds that it is not sufficiently innovative.
India only began issuing patents for drugs in 2005 in order to comply with the WTO's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement). The TRIPS Agreement explicitly allows compulsory licensing as long as procedures and conditions set out in Article 31 of TRIPS are fulfilled.
Drug now poised to enter Indian market, patent office says
Under Section 84 (1) of the Indian Patent Act, any person may request a compulsory license if, after three years from the date of the grant of a patent, the needs of the public to be covered by the invention have not been satisfied; the invention is not available to the public at an affordable price; or the patented invention is not "worked in," or manufactured in the country, to the fullest extent possible.
Bayer acquired an importing license for Nexavar - the company's brand name for the drug sorafenib tosylate - in 2007; the patent on the drug was granted one year later. The company has claimed that Nexavar's sales in India were undermined by the marketing of a similar drug by another domestic generic producer, CIPLA, which it had sued for infringement.
According to the Indian Patent Office's decision, the German drug-maker did not begin importing the drug to India in 2008 and only small quantities were available during the following two years.
Bayer "took no adequate or reasonable steps to start the working of the invention in the territory of India on a commercial scale and to an adequate extent," the decision notes.
"The drug is exorbitantly priced and out of reach of most of the people," the patent authority wrote in its 62-page decision. "The product in question is not a luxury item but a lifesaving drug and it is highly important that a substantial part of the demand be met strictly. In the present case, even 1 percent of the public doesn't derive benefit of the patented drug."
In its compulsory license request, Indian generic manufacturer Natco proposed selling sorafenib tosylate at Rs. 8,800 per patient per month - approximately US $175 - resulting in a 97 percent price cut compared to Nexavar.
The compulsory license has been granted until 2020. Natco is not entitled to export the drug or to outsource its production.
The Indian Patent Office also said that Natco must pay royalties to Bayer on a quarterly basis at the rate of 6 percent of the net sales of the medicine, in accordance with remuneration guidelines set forth by the United Nations Development Programme.
Mixed response
Tido von Schoen-Angerer, Director of Médecins Sans Frontières' (MSF) Access Campaign, welcomed the announcement. "The decision marks a precedent that offers hope: it shows that new drugs under patent can also be produced by generic makers at a fraction of the price, while royalties are paid to the patent holder."
"This decision serves as a warning that when drug companies are price gouging and limiting availability, there is a consequence," added Michelle Childs, Director of Policy/Advocacy at the MSF Access Campaign.
For his part, Tapan Ray of the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India - an industry group of multi-national drug-makers - opposed the decision, saying that "the solution to helping patients with innovative medicines does not lie in breaking patents or denying patent rights to the innovators."
Bayer has the option of appealing the decision; the case could potentially reach the Indian Supreme Court.
ICTSD reporting; "Bayer mulls challenge to India cancer drug ruling," AFP, 13 March 2012; "India Grants First Compulsory Licence, For Bayer Cancer Drug," IP WATCH, 12 March 2012; "India's Supreme Court to Hear Dispute on Drug Patents," NEW YORK TIMES, 6 March 2012; "Analysis: India cancer ruling opens door for cheaper drugs," REUTERS, 13 March 2012.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
New Trains
The Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu while presenting Railway Budget 2016-17 in Parliament today proposed to introduce the Antyodaya Express, a long-distance, fully unreserved, superfast train service, for the common man to be operated on dense routes. He also said that two to four Deen Dayalu coaches will be added in some long distance trains for unreserved travel to enhance the carrying capacity. These coaches will also have facility for potable water and a higher number of mobile charging points.
Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu said that Humsafar and Tejas will ensure cost recovery by way of tariff and non-tariff measures. Humsafar would be fully air-conditioned third AC service with an optional service for meals. Tejas, on the other hand will showcase the future of train travel in India. Operating at speeds of 130 kmph and above, it will offer onboard services such as entertainment, local cuisine, Wi-Fi, etc. through one service provider for ensuring accountability and improved customer satisfaction. He said that overnight double-decker, Utkrisht Double-Decker Air-conditioned Yatri (UDAY) Express will be introduced on the busiest routes, which has the potential to increase carrying capacity by almost 40%.
- The Humsafar, which will focus on India's middle-class travellers, will be an exclusively three-tiered AC train with optional meals. Tejas: For those in a hurry
- This will be India's answer to the Bullet train, achieving speeds ranging up to 130 km per hour with quality onboard facilities.
- Uday (Utkrisht Double Decker Air Conditioned Yatri ): For those travelling on busy routes
- The double-decker Uday trains have been introduced with the intention of increasing passenger capacity in railway services on busy routes. These trains will run overnight, connecting major cities across the country.
- These superfast trains, which will have only unreserved coaches, will focus on transporting the common man in a time-bound manner without burning a hole in his pocket
.
Humsafar: For the middle class
Antyodaya: For the economically backward
ये वो सहर तो नहीं | फ़ैज़
"ये दाग़-दाग़ उज़ाला, ये शब गज़ीदा सहर
वो इन्तज़ार था जिसका, ये वो सहर तो नहीं
वो इन्तज़ार था जिसका, ये वो सहर तो नहीं
ये वो सहर तो नहीं कि जिसकी आरज़ू लेकर
चले थे यार कि मिल जायेगी कहीं न कहीं
फ़लक के दश्त में तारों की आखिरी मंज़िल
कहीं तो होगा शब-ए-सुस्त मौज का साहिल
कहीं तो जाके रुकेगा सफ़ीना-ए-ग़म-ए-दिल
चले थे यार कि मिल जायेगी कहीं न कहीं
फ़लक के दश्त में तारों की आखिरी मंज़िल
कहीं तो होगा शब-ए-सुस्त मौज का साहिल
कहीं तो जाके रुकेगा सफ़ीना-ए-ग़म-ए-दिल
जवाँ लहू की पुरअसरार शाहराहों में
चले जो यार तो दामन पे कितने दाग़ पड़े
पुकारती रहीं बाहें, बदन बुलाते रहे
बहुत अज़ीज़ थी लेकिन रुखे सहर की लगन
बहुत करीं था हसीना-ए-नूर का दामन
सुबुक सुबुक थी तमन्ना, दबी-दबी थी थकन
चले जो यार तो दामन पे कितने दाग़ पड़े
पुकारती रहीं बाहें, बदन बुलाते रहे
बहुत अज़ीज़ थी लेकिन रुखे सहर की लगन
बहुत करीं था हसीना-ए-नूर का दामन
सुबुक सुबुक थी तमन्ना, दबी-दबी थी थकन
सुना है हो भी चुका है फ़िराके ज़ुल्मत-ओ-नूर
सुना है हो भी चुका है विसाले-मंज़िल-ओ-गाम
बदल चुका है बहुत अहले दर्द का दस्तूर
निशाते-वस्ल हलाल-ओ-अज़ाबे-हिज़्र हराम
जिगर की आग, नज़र की उमंग, दिल की जलन
किसी पे चारा-ए-हिज़्रां का कुछ असर ही नहीं
कहां से आयी निग़ारे-सबा किधर को गयी
अभी चिराग़े-सरे-रह को कुछ खबर ही नहीं
सुना है हो भी चुका है विसाले-मंज़िल-ओ-गाम
बदल चुका है बहुत अहले दर्द का दस्तूर
निशाते-वस्ल हलाल-ओ-अज़ाबे-हिज़्र हराम
जिगर की आग, नज़र की उमंग, दिल की जलन
किसी पे चारा-ए-हिज़्रां का कुछ असर ही नहीं
कहां से आयी निग़ारे-सबा किधर को गयी
अभी चिराग़े-सरे-रह को कुछ खबर ही नहीं
अभी गरानी-ए-शब में कमी नहीं आयी
निज़ाते-दीदा-ओ-दिल की घड़ी नहीं आयी
चले चलो कि वो मंज़िल अभी नहीं आयी." - फ़ैज़
निज़ाते-दीदा-ओ-दिल की घड़ी नहीं आयी
चले चलो कि वो मंज़िल अभी नहीं आयी." - फ़ैज़
Friday, July 8, 2016
Wholesale banking; merchant bank
Wholesale banking is the provision of services by banks to organizations such as Mortgage Brokers, large corporate clients, mid-sized companies, real estate developers and investors, international trade finance businesses, institutional customers (such as pension funds and government entities/agencies), and services offered to other banks or other financial institutions.[1][2]
Wholesale finance refers to financial services conducted between financial services companies and institutions such as banks, insurers, fund managers, and stockbrokers.
Modern wholesale banks engage in:
- Finance wholesaling
- Underwriting
- Market making
- Consultancy
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Fund management
A merchant bank is a financial institution providing capital to companies in the form of share ownership instead of loans. A merchant bank also provides advisory on corporate matters to the firms in which they invest. In the United Kingdom, the historical term "merchant bank" refers to an investment bank.
Today, according to the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), "the term merchant banking is generally understood to mean negotiated private equity investment by financial institutions in the unregistered securities of either privately or publicly held companies."[1] Both commercial banks and investment banks may engage in merchant banking activities. Historically, merchant banks' original purpose was to facilitate and/or finance production and trade of commodities, hence the name "merchant". Few banks today restrict their activities to such a narrow scope.
Classical languages
In 2004, the Government of India declared that languages that met certain requirements could be accorded the status of a "Classical Language in India".[85] Languages thus far declared to be Classical are Tamil (in 2004),[86] Sanskrit (in 2005),[87] Kannada (in 2008), Telugu (in 2008),[88] Malayalam (in 2013),[89] and Odia (in 2014).[90][91] In a 2006 press release, Minister of Tourism & Culture Ambika Soni told the Rajya Sabha the following criteria were laid down to determine the eligibility of languages to be considered for classification as a "Classical Language",[92]
The Government has been criticised for not including Pali as a classical language, as experts have argued it fits all the above criteria.[93]
Benefits[edit]
As per Government of India's Resolution No. 2-16/2004-US(Akademies) dated 1 November 2004, the benefits that will accrue to a language declared as "Classical Language" are
- Two major international awards for scholars of eminence in Classical Indian Languages are awarded annually.
- A 'Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Languages' is set up.
- The University Grants Commission be requested to create, to start with at least in the Central Universities, a certain number of Professional Chairs for Classical Languages for scholars of eminence in Classical Indian Languages.[94]
Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF)
The Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) was established during the 1989 G7 Summit in Paris to combat the growing problem of money laundering. The task force was charged with studying money laundering trends, monitoring legislative, financial and law enforcement activities taken at the national and international level, reporting on compliance, and issuing recommendations and standards to combat money laundering. At the time of its creation, the organisation had 16 original members.
In its first year, the FATF issued a report containing forty recommendations to more effectively fight money laundering. These standards were revised in 2003 to reflect evolving patterns and techniques in money laundering.
The mandate of the organisation was expanded to include terrorist financing following the September 11 terror attacks.
चार्ल्स बुकोव्स्की
१६ अगस्त १९२० को जर्मनी में जन्मे अमेरिकी कवि, उपन्यासकार, और लघु कथा लेखक चार्ल्स बुकोव्स्की का लेखन लॉस एंजेल्स के सामाजिक, सांस्कृतिक और आर्थिक जीवन से प्रभावित रहा. उनके लेखन में गरीब अमेरिकियों के साधारण जीवन, लेखन की क्रिया, अल्कोहल, स्त्रियों से सम्बन्ध और काम की बोझिलता जैसे विषय बार-बार आते हैं. बुकोव्स्की ने हजारों कविताएँ और सैकड़ों लघुकहानियाँ तो लिखीं ही,छः उपन्यास भी उनके खाते में हैं. अपने जीवनकाल में उन्होंने कोइ साथ किताबें प्रकाशित कीं. लॉस एंजेल्स के अंडरग्राउंड से छपने वाले एक अखबार में छपी उनकी रचना ‘डायरी ऑफ़ अ डर्टी ओल्ड मैन’ के छपने के बाद एफ़बीआई ने बाकायदा उनकी एक फ़ाइल रखना शुरू कर दी थी.
उन्हें याद करते हुए उनका एक उद्धरण-
“जो ईश्वर पर भरोसा करते हैं, उनके ज़्यादातर बड़े सवाल अनुत्तरित रह जाते हैं. लेकिन हममें से जो आसानी से ईश्वर के फ़ॉर्मूले को स्वीकार नहीं कर पाते, उनके लिए बड़े उत्तर पत्थर में खुदे नहीं रह जाते. हम नई परिस्थितियों और नई खोजों में खुद को ढाल लेते हैं. हम बहुत लचीले होते हैं. प्यार को कोई आदेश या कोई यकीन या कोई घोषणा होने की ज़रुरत नहीं. मैं खुद अपना ईश्वर हूँ. हम यहाँ उस सारे को भूलने आये हैं जो हमें गिरजाघर, राज्य और शिक्षा प्रणाली ने सिखाया है. हम यहाँ बीयर पीने आये हैं. हम तमाम मुसीबतों पर ठहाके लगाने आये हैं और अपने जीवन को इतने अच्छे से जीने कि मौत भी हमें ले जाते हुए काँपे.”
Thursday, July 7, 2016
List of Reports published by International Organizations
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