Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, New Law College, Pune, organized a guest lecture on “Public Health Safeguards and India’s Patent Law” on 13th October 2026. The session was delivered by Mr. K. M. Gopakumar, Senior Legal Researcher at the Third World Network, Malaysia and Geneva who shared valuable insights into the intersection of patent law, public health and access to medicines in India.
The session focused on the flexibilities available under the TRIPS Agreement and their significance in ensuring access to affordable medicines. The speaker highlighted the financial burden of healthcare emergencies on Indian households, emphasizing that nearly 70% of Indians may spend their life savings during a health emergency. He also discussed India’s position as one of the world’s leading producers of pharmaceutical products in terms of quantity, while drawing attention to the challenges associated with affordability and access to medicines.
The lecture was attended by students of New Law College and Poona College of Pharmacy. The session provided an insightful platform for interdisciplinary learning, fostering a deeper understanding of the relationship between intellectual property rights, public health safeguards, and the need to ensure equitable access to essential medicines.
