§ Lord Northfieldasked Her Majesty's Government:
What estimate they make of the effective life of pharmaceutical patents; and how this estimate compares with that made by the EC Commission in proposing steps to restore patent life.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hooper)The memorandum accompanying the EC Commission proposal suggests that 12 years of patent life is lost, leaving 8 years' effective market life. Other studies show estimates at variance with this. We are therefore considering these before coming to a decision.
§ Lord Northfieldasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have received against the EC Commission's proposals for supplementary certificates for pharmaceutical patents.
§ Baroness HooperSome representations have been made by generic pharmaceutical manufacturers against the EC Commission proposals.