[Ip-health] Question about history and present situation of patents on medicines

[Joel Lexchin]

Here is some information about some developed countries.  It comes from a
1985 Canadian report: Commission of Inquiry on the Pharmaceutical Industry,
Report,   Supply and Services Canada, Ottawa, 1985.

Japan-before 1976 only product-by-process patents were available

Italy-medicines were not patentable before 1979

Switzerland-medicines were not patentable before 1978

 
United Kingdom-per se protection of chemicals was abolished between

1919-1949 and compulsory licensing provisions for manufacture of medicines

in place from 1923-1977

 
West Germany-per se protection of pharmaceuticals only since 1968

 

France-until 1960 full ban on pharmaceutical patents; partial ban until

1978

-- 
Joel Lexchin MD
121 Walmer Rd.
Toronto Ontario
Canada M5R2 2X8
Tel:  416-964-7186
Fax:  416-923-9515
e mail:  joel.lexchin@utoronto.ca