Unique benefits of the Patents Act 1970

Article appearing in:

IDMA BULLETIN
(Indian Drug Manufacturers Association)

Dated 30th October 2005

Vol. XXXVI(40)

______________________________________________________________

PATENTS
The Prescription that changed practice
UNIQUE BENEFITS OF THE PATENTS ACT 1970
By Padma Bhushan Dr. R.D. Lele*
(Based on a lecture given on 5.10.05)

* The author is Hon. Chief Physician & Director, Nuclear Medicine Department, Jaslok Hospital & Research
Centre, Mumbai; Hon. Director of Nuclear Medicine & RIA Dept., Lilavati Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai;
Emeritus Professor of Medicine (for life) & ex-Dean, Grant Medical College & Sir J.J. Hospital, Mumbai;
Dean (Academic), All India Institute of Diabetes, Mumbai
Unique benefits of the Patents Act 1970

I magine that you were a doctor practicing
in independent India before 1970. You have
prescribed the drug your patient needs but it is
imported and no chemist has it in stock. There is an
option that is available but is way too expensive.
It’s the same situation which occurs again and
again. Most of the drugs you would like to use
are either not available or too expensive. These
adverse conditions are not doing any good to your
practice.
A life could be lost and you feel desperate and
helpless.
It is from this dark period that we have emerged
to become one of the most sought after healthcare
destinations. We have the best of medical talent,
world-class hospitals with ultramodern diagnostic
facilities, excellent nursing care and, more
importantly, availability of the most advanced drugs
at affordable prices.
In fact, the free availability of modern drugs in
the past three decades has had a profound impact
on the way we practice medicine today. And the
contribution of Indian pharmaceutical companies
to this happy scenario has been phenomenal.
Ranbaxy in antibacterials, Cipla in respiratory
medicine and antiretrovirals, Sun in psychiatric
drug therapy, Lupin in anti-tuberculosis drugs and
many others in various therapies ranging from
cardiovascular medicine to cancer chemotherapy
– all have transformed the therapeutic management
of almost every single disease in India.
This is a unique situation which has not been seen in
any other country in the world be it in the advanced
West or in hapless Africa. We in India have been
fortunate to have the latest drugs at a fraction of the
international prices. Your everyday ciprofloxacin is
available in India for less than Rs. 30 for a strip of
10 tablets. In Pakistan, the same strip costs almost
Rs. 370; in the USA it is an unbelievable Rs. 2,550.
Atorvastatin, which is available for Rs. 25 per strip
of 10 tablets in India, costs Rs. 485 in Pakistan,
Rs. 565 in Indonesia and Rs. 1,090 in the USA.
Efavirenz, a widely used anti-HIV drug costs Rs.
807 for a pack of 30 tablets while its price in the US
is Rs. 6,792 (see table 1).
This happy situation in the country is mainly the
result of some far-sighted changes, which were
Unique benefits of the Patents Act 1970
incorporated in the Patents Act in 1970. You will
appreciate this more as you read on.
India before 1970
The original Patents Act dates back to 1911 when
the British ruled our country.
This colonial Act that was still in force, recognised
both product and process patents. Except for
the patent holder no one else was allowed to
manufacture a patented drug, even by an entirely
different process. The patent holder enjoyed
monopoly rights to manufacture the drug for 20
years. Obviously, the patent holder was at liberty
to decide both the availability and the price of the
drug. The consequences were painful.
• Acute shortages were common as imports
from countries like France, Germany and the
UK were erratic, especially at the time of the
Second World War.
• Drug prices in India were the highest in the
world and the Kefauver Senate Committee of
the USA noted this in 1956.
• Foreign companies commanded 80 percent
of the market share. Millions of Indians were
dependent almost entirely on these companies
for their daily medicines.
• These overseas companies simply imported the
drugs as it suited their commercial interests.
There was hardly any investment in research
or in the manufacture of drugs within the
country.
• There was no access or availability of new
drugs.
• For a country just trying to raise its head from
its colonial past, this was a huge economic
burden.
If you were a doctor then, your hands were tied;
you were as helpless as your patients.
India now
These conditions forced the Government to change
the Patents Act in 1970. The new Act stopped
recognising product patents in the vital areas of
medicine, food and atomic energy. In other words,
it put the interest of the nation before that of the
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Unique benefits of the Patents Act 1970
patent holder. It set us doctors free. For the Indian
industry and the Indian consumer this was a much-
needed shot in the arm. It changed the face of the
industry and the health of the nation.
Many of us may not be able to relate to conditions
before 1970. Most of us are now used to the freedom
to prescribe the best drugs. We are confident that
our patients can get their medicines at realistic
prices. New generations of drugs help us to stay
ahead in practice and patient care. In short, things
are so healthy that we are not even bothered about
something like patents. But we only have to peep
into what is happening in other countries (even our
neighbours) to realise how much we owe to the
Patents Acts Amendment 1970 (see Table 1).
Let us take a moment to count our blessings, as
patients, as doctors and as Indians.
• Indian companies have introduced more than
500 new molecules in the last 20 years.
• Most of these new drugs have been made
available in the country within a short time after
their introduciton worldwide. (Salbutamol,
Atorvastatin, Clopidogrel, Fluticasone,
Omeprazole, Citalopram and many more).
• Many new formulations were launched for
the first time in the world (e.g. Triple-drug
antiretroviral combinations, combination
anti-platelet drugs, long-acting anticholinergic
inhalers).
• Drug prices are the lowest in India. Absence of
monopoly helps to further drive down the prices.
Take ciprofloxacin again. It was launched at Rs.
18 per tablet in May 1989 and has now dropped
to below Rs. 3 per tablet. Omeprazole which
came in at Rs. 9.50 per capsule in April 1991 is
now just about a rupee. Adefovir, an antiviral
for Hepatitis B, was launched as recently as
March 2004 at Rs. 35 and it has already slipped
to Rs. 19. Atorvastatin, a cholesterol reducer,
launched at Rs. 21.00 in October 1999 is now
just Rs. 2.40 per tablet. Hepatitis B vaccine was
launched at Rs. 450 in 1994 and is now just
Rs. 100 per vial (see Table 2).
• It is a matter of pride for all of us that Indian
companies are proving that it is possible to make
drugs that are as good as the best at a fraction of
the “patented prices” that still prevail in other
countries.
2
• India has become a major net exporter
of pharmaceuticals. This was considered
impossible before 1972. It is India, which has
made a dramatic impact worldwide in the drug
treatment of diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
• Over 95 percent of the drugs available today in
India are produced locally. For us doctors and
for our patients, this means assured availability
of the drugs we need at prices we can afford.
• Among all drugs approved in the world, 90
percent are marketed in India. This is thanks to
our steady demand for the best and the latest,
the advances made in domestic research and
manufacturing and, above all, the Patents Act
1972.
What lies ahead ?
The Government of India has re-amended the
Patents Act of 1970 and has decided to recognise
product patents for all molecules for which patent
has been applied for after January 1995. There was
no debate on this vital issue of utmost national
importance before the Act was passed in March
2005.
These amendments are likely to have a far-reaching
consequence on the easy availability of modern
drugs that we are so used to today. In due course, a
monopolistic situation will emerge for all new drug
molecules. This will be better understood when we
examine some of the arguments put forth in favour
of the new Patents Act.
• Argument: Had product patents been allowed
(Multinational Corporations) MNCs would
have made a significant contribution to the
Indian industry.
Fact: Prior to 1972, when the patent law was
loaded in favour of foreign companies, there
was hardly any manufacture in India. Products
were simply imported leading to shortages and
high drug prices. Why should things be any
different now ?
• Argument: There will only be a marginal
increase in drug prices for new molecules.
Fact: Facts do not support this claim. Even in
today’s highly competitive environment, for
the same drug, MNCs charge a much higher
price than Indian companies. For instance,

Amlodipine 10 mg of Pfizer is priced at Rs.
7.20 per tablet in comparison to Rs. 1.00 per
tablet of other Amlodipine brands.
Also, in cases where there is no competition,
the MNC prices are exorbitant and beyond the
reach of the Indian patient.
Xigris 20 mg (Eli Lilly) Rs. 54,450 per vial
Pegylated Interferon Rs. 22,830 per vial
30 mcg (Fulford)
Fentanyl 50 mcg (J&J) Rs. 710 per patch
Visudyne (Novartis) Rs. 72,500 per vial
• Argument: About 95 percent of the products
marketed today are not covered by patents.
Fact: According to the 2005 amendment,
products patented internationally after January
1, 1995 can only be marketed by the patent
holder in India. In times to come, several
new drugs patented after January 1995 will
be marketed only by MNCs. These drugs will
enjoy monopoly rights and no Indian company
will be able to manufacture these products.
Chances are because of resistance and other
reasons, these may be the very drugs that
Indian patients might require. Doctors may
have to limit themselves to what is available.
Patients may have to pay exorbitant prices for
the products they need to keep good health.
• Argument: There are cheaper, alternative non-
patented drugs available to the patient.
Fact: As doctors we are aware of how bacterial
resistance can turn yesterday’s magic bullets
into ineffective duds today. Over time, older
drugs become less effective and there is a
constant need for new and more effective
drugs. If new drugs are beyond the reach of the
Indian patient because of high prices, physicians
will be forced to prescribe older generation
drugs. Patients will be deprived of new drugs
unless it suits the interest of the monopoly
patent holder to make the drugs available at an
accessible price. This is currently the situation
in all developing countries, except India.
• Argument: The cost of R&D for a new
molecule is in the region of $800 million and
hence the high cost of formulations based on
the patented new molecules.
Unique benefits of the Patents Act 1970
Fact: The figure of $800 million is impressive but
many believe this is highly inflated. Companies
have been known to pass off a number of
non-research expenses like opportunity costs
and marketing costs as research expenses.
Much of the new drug research is carried
out by government-funded institutions
like universities and public hospitals. These
institutions then transfer their almost-ready
research to the industry.
Also, a majority of new molecules invented
today are “me-too” ones and are mere molecular
manipulations of existing drugs. Imipenem
was followed by meropenem and ertapenem.
Lovastatin was followed by simvastatin,
atorvastatin, rosuvastatin and pitavastatin.
Omeprazole was followed by lansoprazole,
pantoprazole, esomeprazole and rabeprazole.
There are many more such examples.
Do we believe that each such “me-too” molecule
also costs $800 million for their research and
development?
• Argument: Government has provided
safeguards to check drug prices.
Fact: Under certain circumstances, the
Government can override the patent and grant
a licence for the compulsory manufacture of a
drug. Other safeguards include the provision
of Government intervention and price
negotiations. These safeguards appear adequate
in theory but history shows a different
picture. Various countries, which have similar
provisions, have shown that these safeguards
are ineffective and impractical to implement.
• Argument: The government is bound to
honour international treaties.
Fact: The new patent law is framed under the
World Trade Organization’s Agreement on
Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property
Rights (TRIPS). The government argues that
the new patent law is necessary to honour our
commitment under TRIPS. Others counter
this by questioning why the Indian government
has not done enough to use the flexibilities
available under the same TRIPS. The agreement
should provide sufficient flexibility to tailor
the patent law to suit the country’s needs.
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Unique benefits of the Patents Act 1970
The Government should have provided for
automatic license of right of manufacture to
someone other that the patent holder, with the
innovator guaranteed a royalty amount.
• Argument: With its vast pool of scientific
talent and large force of skilled labour, India is
capable of inventing new molecules.
Fact: There is no doubt of India’s skills in
science. Possibly, there are already many
Indians making a significant contribution to
path-breaking research in various laboratories
in the world. Innovators definitely deserve their
rewards but is the Patents Act only for them?
Or is our priority to provide quality medicines
at reasonable prices to the less fortunate
millions? We do not have a well-organised
medical insurance system. If we also take away
the competition, the very competition that has
been seen to bring prices down, can we expect
the MNCs to safeguard the interests of the one
billion Indians? Can our public hospitals that
take care of our masses afford to buy highly
priced patented medicines?
4
India is host to a number of life-threatening
diseases like TB, malaria, diabetes, asthma, AIDS,
cancer, cardiovascular disorders and other tropical
diseases specific to our country. Many of us get to
see almost all of them within a single day. Imagine
the plight of your patients who come back to you
because they can’t get or can’t afford what you
have prescribed and what they need, as a result of
the new Patent Act changes. A situation to be even
more feared is the move to further tighten the laws
to grant even greater monopoly e.g. scuttling out
the right to information and so on.
The constitution of India guarantees THE RIGHT
TO HEALTH. Non-access to vital and life-saving
drugs will be tantamount to genocide. We Indians
must resist all attempts to take us back to the old
monopolistic era.
That’s the only way we can ensure the future health
of the nation.
 Unique benefits of the Patents Act 1970

Table 1: International Prices Vis-a-vis Indian Prices – Select Products

Drug & Dosage Pack Price in Price in Price in Price in Price in UK
India (Rs.) Pakistan (Rs.) Indonesia (Rs.) USA (Rs.) (Rs.)
Anti-Bacterial
Ofloxacin 200 mg 10’s 25.00 216.66 441.67 2377.76 595.84
Cefadroxil 500 mg 10’s 36.19 190.03 210.21 2784.76 214.32
Ciprofloxacin 500 mg 10’s 29.00 368.36 926.75 2552.44 1079.20
Norfloxacin 400 mg 10’s 17.59 104.73 130.63 1782.88 277.40
Lomefloxacin 400 mg 6’s 58.50 N.A. 440.00 3042.16 N.A.
Clarithromycin 250 mg 4’s 60.00 104.72 110.00 793.76 237.12
Sparfloxacin 200 mg 6’s 33.00 N.A. 299.70 1765.72 N.A.
Gatifloxacin tablets 400 mg 10’s 39.90 N.A. 1771.78 4137.76 N.A.
Levofloxacin tablets 500 mg 10’s 39.90 599.77 875.00 4677.20 1964.60
Opthalmology
Ciprofloxacin 0.3% Eye Drops 5 ml 5.88 157.67 256.00 2035.44 375.44
Norfloxacin 0.3% Eye Drops 5 ml 8.96 82.45 N.A. N.A. N.A.
Dorzolamide 2% Eye Drops 5 ml 195.25 670.71 N.A. 1366.64 481.08
Latanoprost 50 mcg eye drops 2.5 ml 250.52 807.56 1356.25 2446.40 998.64
Dorzolamide 2% + Timolol 0.5% 5 ml 220.00 702.26 N.A. 2063.60 763.80
eye drops
Loteprednol 0.5% eye drops 5 ml 55.25 N.A. N.A. 1410.20 N.A.
AntiInflammatory
Diclofenac 50 mg 10’s 4.34 36.79 161.12 733.48 191.52
Piroxicam 20 mg 10’s 8.93 71.37 305.76 1161.16 196.84
Meloxicam 7.5 mg 10’s 9.50 – – 1213.96 291.08
Aceclofenac 100 mg tabs 10’s 19.00 N.A. – N.A. 121.60
Anti-Ulcerants
Ranitidine 150 mg 10’s 5.19 64.39 216.33 1012.44 16.72
Famotidine 40 mg 14’s 5.03 269.50 238.00 2414.28 965.20
Omeprazole 20 mg 10’s 9.90 358.80 634.08 2030.16 792.68
Lansoprazole 30 mg 10’s 35.00 425.15 462.78 2097.04 542.64
Pantoprazole 40 mg 10’s 15.00 450.37 – 1683.00 589.00
Rabeprazole 20 mg tabs 10’s 9.50 N.A. – 1960.20 574.56
Cardiovasculars
Atenolol 50 mg 14’s 5.60 62.42 322.56 809.60 N.A.
Diltiazem 60 mg 10’s 30.00 50.23 32.50 410.52 86.64
Lisinopril 5 mg 10’s 17.90 39.90 226.78 511.72 213.56
Enalapril Maleate 5 mg 10’s 11.99 37.11 119.17 523.60 203.68
Amiodarone 200 mg 10’s 58.00 112.94 211.50 1710.72 197.60
Amlodipine Besylate 5 mg 10’s 5.90 87.05 228.78 696.96 353.40
Terazosin 2 mg 10’s 55.78 107.57 190.81 978.56 123.88
Losartan Potassium 50 mg 10’s 17.00 N.A. 319.00 731.28 490.96
Telmisartan 40 mg tabs 10’s 58.00 N.A. 315.86 846.56 307.80
Valsartan 80 mg caps 10’s 69.00 283.13 448.24 731.72 446.12

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Unique benefits of the Patents Act 1970

Drug & Dosage Pack Price in Price in Price in Price in Price in UK

India (Rs.) Pakistan (Rs.) Indonesia (Rs.) USA (Rs.) (Rs.)
Anti-viral/fungal
Ketoconazole 200 mg 10’s 107.29 202.81 280.00 2005.52 377.72
Zidovudine 100 mg 10’s 58.00 N.A. 340.50 902.88 843.60
Terbinaline 250 mg 7’s 175.00 208.94 486.45 3028.08 880.08
Lamivudine 150 mg 10’s 88.00 N.A. 1815.00 2333.76 1927.36
Efavirenz 200 mg caps 30’s 807.00 N.A. – 6792.72 5279.72
Lamivudine 150 mg + Zidovudine 10’s 205.00 N.A. – 5025.24 4035.60
300 mg tabs
Valacyclovir 500 mg tabs 3’s 74.00 251.79 246.12 603.24 498.56
Tenofovir 300 mg tabs 30’s 4500.00 N.A. N.A. 20064.00 N.A.
Nelfinavir 250 mg tabs 100’s 2400.00 N.A. N.A. 11097.68 N.A.
Anti-histamine
Cetirizine 10 mg 10’s 7.80 31.03 166.67 928.40 193.04
Loratadine 10 mg 10’s 19.50 90.72 220.50 1421.20 -
Fexofenadine 120 mg 10’s 29.40 125.27 135.00 - 158.08
Anti-Anxiolytics/Psychotics
Alprazolam 0.5 mg 10’s 7.00 46.52 212.50 1034.88 -
Risperidone 4 mg 10’s 28.00 917.62 N.A. 2574.44 1688.72
Trazodone HCl 50 mg 10’s 20.60 34.65 72.00 952.16 186.96
Buspirone 5 mg 10’s 8.35 82.47 181.17 399.08 237.12
Sertraline 50 mg 10’s 24.00 N.A. 526.78 1199.44 483.36
Fluoxetine 20 mg 10’s 8.60 275.94 506.98 1748.56 360.24
Citalopram 10 mg tabs 10’s 16.00 364.78 N.A. 1344.20 243.20
Escitalopram 10 mg tabs 10’s 39.90 359.79 N.A. N.A. 404.32
Anti-Cancer
Mitoxantrone 2 mg/ml 10 ml 385.00 N.A. 13760.00 63911.76 10632.40
Carboplatin 150 mg Vial 693.00 1662.78 3702.60 21625.12 4652.72
Vincristine 1 mg Vial 48.00 328.68 535.00 N.A. 1077.68
Etoposide 100 mg Vial 190.00 482.06 174.68 6005.56 1030.56
Imatinib Mesylate 100 mg Caps 10’s 850.00 8516.66 9821.96 9329.76 9863.28
Gemcitabine 200 mg Injn 200 mg Vial 900.00 7190.38 2788.50 5997.20 2473.80
Anti-emetics
Ondansetron HCl 8 mg Injn 4 ml 20.00 N.A. 665.20 11285.12 911.24
Cholesterol Reducer
Lovastatin 20 mg 10’s 28.90 159.34 433.33 1180.96 N.A.
Simvastatin 10 mg 10’s 35.00 245.98 412.50 1268.08 489.44
Rosuvastatin 10 mg tabs 10’s 150.00 N.A. N.A. 1108.80 489.44
Ezetimibe 10 mg tabs 10’s 120.00 N.A. N.A. 1122.00 714.40
Atorvastatin 10 mg tabs 10’s 24.00 483.85 565.95 1087.68 489.44

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 Unique benefits of the Patents Act 1970

Drug & Dosage Pack Price in Price in Price in Price in Price in UK

India (Rs.) Pakistan (Rs.) Indonesia (Rs.) USA (Rs.) (Rs.)
Osteoporosis
Alendronate Sodium 10 mg 10’s 49.00 539.52 N.A. 1017.72 627.00
Risedronate Sodium 35 mg tabs 4’s 200.50 N.A. – 3101.56 1542.80
Anti-epileptic
Lamotrigine 25 mg 10’s 29.00 162.75 N.A. 1321.32 276.64
Levetiracetam 500 mg tabs 10’s 178.00 N.A. – 1114.52 662.72
Anti-platelet
Ticlopidine 250 mg 10’s 75.50 163.69 383.38 1198.56 N.A.
Clopidogrel Bisulphate 75 mg tabs 10’s 27.43 N.A. 838.13 1855.04 958.36
Anti-asthmatic
Salmeterol Xinafoate 200 doses 130.25 1407.56 1980.00 4043.16 7412.28
Budesonide 200 doses 277.25 444.28 886.26 6644.00 2812.00
Fluticasone Propionate 120 doses 190.50 N.A. 562.65 2796.64 969.76
Montelukast 4 mg tabs 10’s 59.25 364.99 N.A. 1321.76 487.92
Salmeterol 25 mcg 120 doses 210.50 598.60 782.65 N.A. 1378.64
Fluticasone 50 mcg inhaler For- 120 doses 190.50 N.A. N.A. N.A. 2508.00
moterol 6 mcg + Budesonide 100
mcg Inhaler
Urology
Doxazosin 2 mg 10’s 25.00 124.60 341.56 748.88 382.28
Oxybutynin 5 mg 10’s 50.00 N.A. – 459.80 120.84
Sildenafil 50 mg tablets 4’s 48.00 N.A. 1356.93 4455.44 1616.52
Tadalafil 20 mg tabs 4’s 118.00 N.A. – N.A. 1778.40
Anti Prostate
Finasteride 5 mg tabs 10’s 66.00 352.00 366.67 860.20 378.48
Tamsulosin 0.4 mg caps 10’s 53.13 N.A. – 875.16 522.88
Dutasteride 0.5 mg caps 10’s 98.00 N.A. – 1153.24 628.52
Anti Diabetic
Pioglitazone 15 mg tabs 10’s 9.00 N.A. – 1522.40 655.12
Miglitol 50 mg tabs 10’s 95.00 N.A. N.A. 345.88 N.A.
Miscellaneous
Nimodipine 30 mg 10’s 70.00 186.11 251.50 3514.28 295.64
Tizanidine 2 mg 10’s 54.50 93.53 202.11 594.88 399.00
Midazolam 1 mg/ml 5 ml 27.50 64.54 61.89 700.04 68.40
Imiquimod 5% Cream 3’s 150.00 N.A. – 1921.04 975.08
Adefovir 10 mg tabs 10’s 190.00 N.A. – 7817.48 7980.00
Galantamine 4 mg tabs 10’s 94.00 N.A. – 1107.48 741.00
NOTE:
1. Retail prices in India & wholesale prices in other countries considered.
2. Conversion rate of exchange considered: 1 USD = Rs. 44.00, 1 GBP = Rs. 76.00, 1 Pak Rs. = Rs. 0.73, 1 Indonesian Rp = Rs. 0.005 and
1 Bht = Rs. 1.04 as on 12.7.2005
3. Sources for prices: USA prices – Red Book 2004
UK prices – UK MIMS June 2005
Pakistan – Pharmaguide January 2004
India – IDR May/June 2005
Indonesia – IIMS Vol. 32, No. 2, 2003
Thailand – TIMS Vol. 32, No. 2, 2003
Date: September 2005

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Unique benefits of the Patents Act 1970

Table 2: Examples of Price Reductions in Drugs due to intense Competition in India

Drug Unit price at launch Current unit price % fall in No. of manufacturers
in Rs. (as on) in Rs. price
Antibiotic/Antibacterial
Ciprofloxacin 500 mg Tablet 18.00 (May 89) 2.90 84 158
Norfloxacin 400 mg Tablet 7.75 (Nov. 87) 1.75 77 77
Pefloxacin 400 mg Tablet 10.00 (Sept. 91) 4.40 56 25
Ofloxacin 200 mg Tablet 26.00 (Apr. 90) 2.50 90 83
Azithromycin 250 mg Capsule 22.00 (July 94) 7.95 64 32
Sparfloxacin 200 mg Tablet 20.00 (Nov. 96) 5.50 73 62
Levofloxacin 500 mg Tablet 95.00 (Nov. 99) 4.00 96 26
Ceftazidime Injection 1 gm vial 334.17 (April 89) 198.00 41 12
Cefuroxime axetil 250 mg Tablet 37.59 (March 91) 5.40 86 29
Cefepime 1 gm Vial 399.00 (Oct 2003) 125.00 69 15
Cefpodoxime 200 mg Tablet 29.00 (May 2002) 19.90 32 18
Moxifloxacin 400 mg Tablet 90.00 (July 2001) 65.00 28 3
Rosiglitazone 2 mg Tablet 3.55 (July 2000) 2.00 44 11
Anti-AIDS
Zidovudine 100 mg Caps 18.53 (January 93) 5.80 69 6
Lamivudine 150 mg Tablet 38.00 (Aug. 98) 8.80 77 6
Stavudine 40 mg Caps 41.00 (June 99) 3.70 91 6
Nevirapine 200 mg Tablet 135.00 (Mar. 2000) 13.35 90 6
Didanosine 100 mg Tablet 36.00 (Dec. 2000) 30.00 17 6
Indinavir 400 mg Caps 50.00 (Apr. 2001) 23.30 53 6
Lamivudine 150 mg + Stavudine 40 mg + 31.00 (July 2001) 21.30 32 6
Nevirapine 200 mg Tabs
Lamivudine 150 mg + Zidovudine 300 mg + 40.00 (Nov. 2001) 22.50 44 6
Nevirapine 200 mg Tablet
Anti-Platelet
Clopidogrel 75 mg Tablet 30.00 (Feb. 2001) 2.74 85 35
Glaucoma
Latanoprost eye drops 1142.00 (July 2000) 250.52 79 3
Hormonal Drugs
Tibolone 2.5 mg Tablet 35.36 (Sept. 1997) 17.00 52 5
Alzheimer’s Disease
Rivastigmine 1.5 mg Caps 116.00 4.50 96 4
Donepezil 5 mg Tablet 50.00 (June 2001) 7.00 86 5
Pain Management
Celecoxib 200 mg Caps 7.00 (March 2000) 2.50 65 20
Hepatitis B
Adefovir10 mg Tablet 35.00 (March 2004) 19.00 46 2
Hepatitis B 20 mcg vaccine 450.00 (1994) 100.00 78 13

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 Unique benefits of the Patents Act 1970

Drug Unit price at launch Current unit price % fall in No. of manufacturers
in Rs. (as on) in Rs. price
Prostate
Bicalutamide 150 mg Tablet 90.00 (Sept. 2003) 35.08 61 2
Tamsulosin 400 mcg Caps 8.90 (June 2002) 5.31 40 8
Finasteride 5 mg Tablet 8.50 (Dec. 96) 6.60 23 6
Anti-allergic
Desloratidine 5 mg Tablet 3.60 (Nov. 2001) 1.99 45 15
Cetirizine 10 mg Tablet 3.00 (Aug. 93) 0.78 74 67
Anti-asthamtic
Montelukast 10 mg Tablet 24.00 (Feb. 2002) 10.50 56 5
Anti-cancer
Zoledronic acid 4 mg Injection 2800.00 (June 2003) 1400.00 50 5
Pamidronic acid 90 mg Injection 5200.00 (Mar 2001) 1800.00 66 6
Letrozole 2.5 mg Tablet 158.00 (April 2003) 6.00 100 4
Obesity
Sibutramine 10 mg Caps 15.00 (Dec. 2000) 7.50 50 8
Source: IDR–May/June 2005

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Unique benefits of the Patents Act 1970