CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Contradicting an earlier order, the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademark finally granted patent to Gilead Science, the American biopharmaceutical company, for Sofosbuvir-the Hepatitis C drug-on Monday.

Detailed explanation-2: -Among the patents that were granted, abuse of the system was rampant, even from the very first patented medicine. The first American medicine patent was granted to Samuel Lee, Jr., on April 30, 1796 for a mixture called ‘’Bilious Pills.

Detailed explanation-3: -Currently, the term of a new patent is 20 years from the date on which the application for the patent was filed in the United States. Many other factors can affect the duration of a patent. 3. How long does an exclusivity period last?

Detailed explanation-4: -An initial patent application filing may take the form of a provisional patent application (PAA) or a non-provisional patent (NPA) application. Both the PPA and the NPA will provide the applicant with a “filing date.” However, the PPA will not be examined (i.e., will not begin the “patent prosecution” process).

Detailed explanation-5: -Schedule V: Standards for patent and proprietary medicines.