Trips compliant patent law and the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh : challenges and opportunities

This article will explore the challenges and opportunities for Bangladesh, with a focus on the pharmaceutical industry, as Bangladesh moves towards the requirement of being compliant with the TRIPS Agreement by 2016. This article highlights that much rests with the Government of Bangladesh to decide upon a policy direction during the transition period so that Bangladesh is appropriately positioned for 1 January 2016. Consequently, the article suggests that Bangladesh not seek to be TRIPS compliant prior to the expiration of the transition period. Rather Bangladesh should utilise both the period of time available and the flexibilities available under the TRIPS Agreement to ensure that the opportunities identified by the article are captured so that strategies can be put in place to minimise the challenges identified.