RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVED A DRAFT LAW ON FORCED MEDICINE LICENSING
It is proposed to apply forced licensing of medicine in Russia in case of an emergency
On 14 November 2019, the Government of the Russian Federation approved a draft law on forced medicine licensing designed to protect life and health of the population in case of emergencies.
FAS amendments to the Civil Code will also the Government to assign the tight of independent production of vital and essential foreign medicine to domestic pharmaceutical companies not only in the interests of defence and national security but also in case of threats to life and health of the population. For example, if a foreign producer refuses to supply such medicine to Russia.
Forced medicine licensing can be used in case of epidemics or in a situation when a company is the only holder of medicine against a serious disease. In this case the company-developer gets compensation.
The forced licensing mechanism will allow the Government to limit the right for intellectual property in public interests.
“It is proposed to introduce forced medicinelicensing in Russia in case of an emergency that can be accompanies by monopolistically high medicine prices or refusals to supply unique vital medicine”, emphasized Head of FAS Igor Artemiev.