Sir — This refers to the editorial, “For the greater good” (April 3). This landmark verdict will benefit even other nations getting health aids through Unicef and NGOs like International Dispensary Association, who source a lot of their medical aid supply from India. The apex court judgement is not a deterrent to genuine innovation, but multinational corporations should stop using patent rights as right to tax the poor.
Prices of all medicines have gone up by more than 50 per cent in the last year. The Indian pharma companies should realise their social obligations and make these life-saving drugs available at reasonable rates. On its part, the Union Government should stand up to the threat of the MNCs and bring a comprehensive national drug pricing policy to ensure that health services are made affordable to the common man.