Activists worry drug access may be sacrificed in trade deals

When the European Union and India decided to relaunch trade talks in 2022, activists were surprised to see the EU insert some intellectual property protections that go beyond minimum internationally agreed practices in its proposal.

During an earlier round of negotiations that stalled in 2013, India had pushed back against similar provisions. Activists, too, warned that they would curb affordable access to medicines and medical products because they would extend the period before competitors could start producing lower-priced generic versions.

The revived negotiations, with talks set to continue in Brussels in October, have rekindled those concerns. The EU has proposed lengthening patent periods and expanding protections over critical data, making it more difficult for generic companies to replicate new products.