Archive for December, 2006
Indian Pharma: Balancing Patent Rights and Obligations
The ICTSD is carrying an analysis of the post-TRIPS generic pharmaceutical sector in India (there is also a report on Thailand). For a mere industry analysis the report has little new to offer, as a previous report by the CDS has already offered a more extensive analysis.
However, it is an extremely lucid case study that [...]
Technology for Development: Obstacles & Solutions
I don’t know how, but Techies for Development found my blog. Surprising, because for someone that has extensive experience in the field, I’ve largely avoided looking at technology for development. Still, this blog is a good wakeup call and started an interesting thought process.
In choosing not to join the loud debate on Technology for Development [...]
India’s Promise - Prospects for Indian Democracy
India is, in the words of George Soros, ‘the flavor of the month‘. Reflecting that international euphoria, we Indians seem to have developed a proclivity for self-congratulation.
An excellent article in the Harvard Magazine by Devesh Kapur (PDF at CGDev), however, is a good reality check. It brings home the real challenge for India - not [...]
Novartis Challenges Indian Patent Law
I seem to have missed this. Since May, Novartis has been involved in a legal challenge to India’s Patent Act, which was changed in 2005 to make it TRIPS compliant (see Berne Declaration release for timeline, and coverage from IPMed).
The genesis of the issue is the rejection of Novartis’ patent application for its anti-cancer drug [...]
The Indo-US Nuclear Deal: A Post-Henry Hyde Act Analysis
The Henry J. Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act is now law. With its passage history of sorts has been created. India now has a credible chance to legally access civilian nuclear technology while keeping its nuclear weapons program. No country outside the NPT can say so.
Critics in India have called this a [...]
Microfinance has Limited Impact
The Times of India reports that microfinance has limited development impact: The End of Poverty (16 Dec 2006).
Many studies show that the impact of microcredit is limited. Vijay Mahajan, founder of Basix, India’s best-known MFI, has the following to say:
“In an impact assessment study carried out at Basix six years after inception, we found that [...]
Inclusive Growth and the 11th Plan
Today’s Hindustan Times has an excellent editorial on the 11th five-year plan, and the economics behind the idea of ‘inclusive growth’. It is a must read for those with even a brief understanding of economics and the link, often inverse, between growth and equity.
India: Challenge and Opportunity of a Lifetime
Last week I had the opportunity to attend three events in Delhi – the 3rd Sat Pal Mittal Memorial Lecture by Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chair of the Planning Commission, on the 11th plan; the India-Japan Energy Forum organized by TERI and NEDO; and the London School of Economics (LSE) Asia Forum. The timing of [...]
