UK government rejects Off-patent Drugs Bill despite widespread support

The Off-patent Drugs Bill was debated in the UK Parliament last week, having been proposed for a second reading by Nick Thomas-Symonds MP.

A Conservative health minister has deliberately blocked a new law to provide cheap and effective drugs for the National Health Service by championing medicines whose patents have expired. Alistair Burt spoke for nearly half an hour to “filibuster” the proposed Off-Patent Drugs Bill, a plan that had cross-party support from backbenchers, reported The Independent newspaper. Mr Burt told MPs: "The reason for resisting what is being suggested is the government believes there is another pathway.

The proposed law would have compelled the government to seek new licences for medicines that were not covered by patents but which could benefit patients.