India Groups Unite To Challenge Herceptin Breast Cancer Patent (India)
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Groups in India are organizing to challenge the patent granted F. Hoffman-LaRoche for its Herceptin (trastuzumb) for fighting breast cancer. The challengers have formed the Lawyers Collective to fight for women's issues, arguing in this case that giving the drug patent protection denies millions of women with the cancer from having access to cheap versions. The same group challenged a Novartis application for a patent on its Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) in 2005, and litigation continues. (Click here for more