Provided for a process patent regime in India

PROS:

• Process patent more suitable for developing pharmaceutical markets with limited infrastructure

• Helped to promote competition & keep drug prices under control

• Enabled domestic companies to develop skills in reverse engineering which enabled them to develop R & D base

CONS:

• Had a negative impact on technology transfer since MNCs resisted the market.

Move Towards Trips WEF 1.1.2005

• Move from process patent to product patent regime

• Welcomed by domestic companies - required infrastructure in place