Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health concern, which has become worse in low- and middle-income nations due to the rise of drug-resistant strains of the disease. Bedaquiline, a groundbreaking anti-TB drug, shows great promise for addressing multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). However, the recent decision by India to reject the application for a patent extension on bedaquiline raises crucial questions regarding access to essential medicines and public health requirements. This article examines the significance of India’s rejection of the patent extension for bedaquiline, outlining the global implications of this decision and its impact on intellectual property rights, access to medicines, and the future of drug development. India’s stance serves as a model for other countries to prioritize public health in their patent-related decisions, underlining the need for a balanced approach to intellectual property rights, innovation, and affordability in the pharmaceutical sector. In the context of the ongoing battle against drug-resistant TB, India’s decision on bedaquiline signifies the evolving landscape of pharmaceutical patent practices in the service of global public health.
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