Pharmacy Daily | MA gene alert

MEDICINES Australia is calling for public input into the legislation on the patenting of human genes and biological materials following the introduction of the legislative amendment proposed in a new private member’s bill. According to Medicines Australia the proposed amendment “would exclude biological materials which are identical or substantially identical to such materials as they exist in nature, however made, from patent protection”. “This would have far-reaching and possibly dire consequences for patient access, medical research and the biotechnology and medicines industry,” a statement from Medicines Australia said. The Bill has been referred to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee with their decision set to be announced in June next year. At present the Committee has opened the gates for “those with an interest or relevant contribution to make” to submit their views until 25 February.

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