Agitation against Novartis strengthens

The international health organisations, protesting against Swiss pharmaceutical major Novartis AG's legal challenge to provisions of the Indian Patent Act supporting generic drug production have found high-profile supporters from the US and the European Union.

Henry Waxman, chairman of the Government Reform Committee of the US Congress, and five members of the European Parliament have expressed solidarity with the protesters.

The Chennai high court is to take up the company's petition on Thursday. The Novartis petition challenges the constitutional validity of Section 3 (D) of the Indian Patent Act, which restricts the grant of patents to existing drugs to significant improvements with proven therapeutic advantages.

It is also challenging a decision of the Indian patent office to reject a patent to its blockbuster blood cancer drug Glivec (Imatinib Mesylate).

Waxman, in a letter to Novartis chairman Daniel Vasella, said while he did not dispute Novartis's right to apply for a patent or appeal against patent denial, he was concerned about the company's attempt to influence a domestic Indian law that could have a severe impact on access to medicines, both for India's citizens and poor nations around the world.

Waxman is the co-sponsor of the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act, a landmark law of the US Congress that allows more space for generic drug supplies in that country.

The EU parliamentarians said "as representatives of European citizens," they had grave concerns regarding Novartis's action against a government that chose to protect public health and promote access to medicines for all.