SouthViews No. 272, 8 August 2024
Lessons for the Global South from U.S. Legislation on Patent Thickets
By Nirmalya Syam
The US Senate’s passage of the Affordable Prescription for Patients Act (S-150) targets patent thickets, strategic barriers used by pharmaceutical companies to delay the entry of biosimilar drugs and maintain high prices. This US legislative act offers valuable lessons for the Global South, where similar reforms can strengthen patent review processes, encourage competition, and utilize TRIPS flexibilities to improve access to affordable medicines, fostering a more equitable healthcare system.