Piyush Goyal criticises firms attempts to secure pharma patents through minor innovations

Written by Ruchika Sharma Published On 2025-04-28T15:45:31+05:30 | Updated On 28 April 2025 3:45 PM IST

Piyush Goyal criticises firms attempts to secure pharma patents through minor innovations

New Delhi: Millions of people could be denied access to affordable medicines due to attempts by companies to secure pharmaceutical patents through minor innovations, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal cautioned on Sunday, as he condemned such practices in the pharmaceutical industry.

Addressing an event, he emphasized that the pursuit of "super-natural" profits by a few companies and their shareholders comes at the cost of widespread access to quality and equitable healthcare.

According to PTI, Goyal said, "I received requests very often that we should also allow pharmaceutical companies... to have incremental changes to their patents and allow them to have a fresh patent for another long period of time, which we normally understand that as evergreening of patents.

"It is so sad that just for the profit of a few companies, just for the supernatural profits of a select few companies and possibly their shareholders, the world has to suffer," he said here at an event.

Section 3(d) of the Indian Patents Act, 1970 restricts patents for already-known drugs unless the new claims are superior in terms of efficacy, while Section 3(b) bars patents for products that are against public interest and do not demonstrate enhanced efficacy over existing products.

Certain multi-national firms have asked India to amend these laws, which was strongly opposed.

Evergreening of patent right is a strategy allegedly adopted by the innovators having patent rights over products to renew them by bringing in some minor changes such as adding new mixtures or formulations. It is done when their patent is about to expire.

A patent on the new form would have given the innovator company a 20-year monopoly on the drug.

Goyal also said access to quality healthcare is a critical part of sustainable development and shared India's journey in achieving greater healthcare access for all.

piyush goyalpharma patentmedicine

Source : with inputs

Ruchika Sharma

Ruchika Sharma joined Medical Dialogue as an Correspondent for the Business Section in 2019. She covers all the updates in the Pharmaceutical field, Policy, Insurance, Business Healthcare, Medical News, Health News, Pharma News, Healthcare and Investment. She has completed her B.Com from Delhi University and then pursued postgraduation in M.Com. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in Contact no. 011-43720751