Should Patents Exist for Medicines?

Murali Neelakantan says we simply cannot allow people to suffer because they are unable afford a drug that already exists. He argues that India must make healthcare free, universal, and funded by the state acting as a benevolent monopsonist.

But what is healthcare? Why should we not bet on private interests to solve this problem? And does the state's interference do more harm than good?

Murali is a lawyer with an expansive career spanning decades in corporate law. He has been a long-time voice in India’s healthcare policy debate, working as global general counsel for both Cipla and Glenkark Pharmaceuticals.

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