Can Compulsory Licensing Improve Access to Essential Medicines?

21 Pages Posted: 23 Apr 2008

See all articles by Robert C. Bird

Robert C. Bird

University of Connecticut - School of Business; University of Connecticut School of Law

Date Written: March 11, 2008

Abstract

This manuscript addresses how developing countries can maximize access to essential medicines and minimize unwanted side-effects within the legal environment of a compulsory license regime. This paper offers various solutions that developing nations can implement that would improve consumer access without costly expenditures or foreign aid. This paper concludes that, while compulsory licensing can play a role in improving public health, external social and political conditions must be considered in order to make licensing an effective practice.

Keywords: patent, intellectual property, compulsory licensing, pharmaceuticals, developing country

JEL Classification: O34, L65, F20

Suggested Citation

Bird, Robert C., Can Compulsory Licensing Improve Access to Essential Medicines? (March 11, 2008). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1124035 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1124035

Robert C. Bird (Contact Author)

University of Connecticut - School of Business ( email )

368 Fairfield Road
Storrs, CT 06269-2041
United States

HOME PAGE: http://businesslaw.business.uconn.edu/robert-bird/

University of Connecticut School of Law ( email )

55 Elizabeth Street
Hartford, CT 06105
United States

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