Patent conditions amended for drugs

The country has amended a patent regulation to give a clear definition of "patented pharmaceuticals" that are subject to compulsory licensing, amid a system that allows parties to exploit patented inventions without the permission of the patent's owner.

The existing Patent Law granting a compulsory license for patented pharmaceuticals in China for the purpose of public health. It applies to manufactured products in China as well as exports to qualified countries under international treaties to which China is a member.

But the law fails to give a clear definition of "patented pharmaceuticals" that are subject to such practice.