Mr. Jacksonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation to extend the patent life for pharmaceutical products.
§ Mr. PattieCommunity members resolved in 1975 to bring their national patent laws into conformity, as far as practicable, with the provisions of the European Patent Convention. This was done by the Patents Act 1977 which provided inter alia for the extension of the patent term from 16 to 20 years in line with the European Patent Convention. There are no immediate plans for common action with the other Community states to extend the term further. My right hon. and learned Friend has however received representations on the subject from the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry and is considering whether a United Kingdom initiative would be appropriate.