Pharma's patent practices: abusive or essential?

“If Congress weakens patent laws, patients may never benefit from new treatments or cures."

That is the stark pay-off at the end of a letter written by Merrill Matthews, who has the title of resident scholar at Texas-based lobby group Institute for Policy Innovation (IPI).

Dr Matthews was writing in response to legislation introduced by Republican Senator for Texas, John Cornyn, relating to patent protections afforded to American drug companies.