Forbes: Intellectual Property Rights For Global Health
John R. Graham, senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis and the Independent Institute

“…Unfortunately, attacking patents is a misguided way to improve access to medicines in low- and middle-income [countries]. Although it is a counter-intuitive conclusion, strong patent rights are a better way to achieve this goal. In an international environment of strong patent rights, innovative drug makers would have every incentive to lower prices voluntarily to poor countries. … [T]he best way for poor countries to improve access to safe and innovative medicines is by adopting policies that allow them to create wealth. That includes strong patent protection. Giving [President Obama] Fast Track authority to negotiate a [Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)] with poor patent protection would harm both American innovators and patients in low- and middle-income countries” (4/29).