Patents are often seen as legal monopolies that impose exorbitant pricing, particularly for innovations in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors where the inventions are usually protected through the patents. Many have argued that patent protection should not be extended to sectors where the public interest in obtaining those products or services is important, such as health-related products, which also includes the medications. This paper provides an overview of different policy choices that national governments might employ to both promote innovation in health-related goods and ensure low consumer prices for the basic medicines. Special consideration is given to the current COVID-19 health emergency and highlights the solutions through the published reviews to make the basic medications freely accessible to all countries.
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