Delinked from reality
Replacing patents with prizes to spur drug development is the idea of the moment. But this so-called “delinkage” won’t deliver the innovation and low-cost medicines claimed by its supporters, writes Philip Stevens.
Delinkage: can prizes replace patents for medicine innovation?
Delinkage is not a silver bullet and can be politicised this is what is being discussed at the joint World Health Organization and Government of India meeting in New Delhi which is part of an international push led by countries, including India, and backed by NGOs, to slash drug prices.
Delinkage no panacea for access to medicines
The delinkage agenda under discussion in Geneva, while well-intentioned, is a distraction from practical solutions to increase access to medicines.