Patent Thickets

SouthViews No. 290, 5 August 2025

The Importance of Balanced Intellectual Property Systems for Patients’ Access to Medicines: An Analysis

By Archana Jatkar and Nicolás Tascón

Access to safe, effective, cost-effective, and quality-assured medicines is fundamental from a patients’ perspective. The International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (IGBA) recently released a report highlighting the critical balance between innovation, competition, and timely access to medicines. This article delves into the key findings of IGBA’s report, their implications on patient access to medicines and national healthcare budgets, and the IGBA’s recommendations for improving the global pharmaceutical landscape.

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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.

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