Latha Jishnu: Setting aside Bayer's 'spurious' claims - The Diigo Meta page

• 02 Sep 09
  

  gibreel ferishta

  Two weeks ago Justice S Ravindra Bhat of the Delhi High Court dismissed with costs the writ petition filed by the German pharmaceuticals giant Bayer Corporation against the Union of India, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) and Cipla. The importance of Justice Bhat’s judgment cannot be overestimated. It is a clear — and sharp — judgment that puts paid to attempts by foreign companies to modify India’s regulations to suit their commercial interest.
  
  The judge characterised the litigation as “a speculative foray; an attempt to ‘tweak’ public policies through court mandated regimes” and, in a first of its kind, awarded costs of Rs 6.75 lakh. The amount, far from being punitive, is to be shared by the government and the third respondent Cipla, one of India’s top drug companies. However, the point that the judgment makes is strong: Companies with deep pockets may “achieve short term goals of keeping out competitors through interim orders” but the court will impose ‘realistic costs’.

  IP patent marketing approval DCGI drugs

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