The U.S. Chamber of Commerce requested that India be designated a "Priority Foreign Country"—a label applied to the worst offenders in terms of intellectual property protection.
India argues that many patented drugs are too expensive for the majority of the Indian population. The government in New Delhi is promoting access to life-saving drugs for its people. India has a population of approximately 1.2 billion, of which only 15% have medical insurance.
While the above figures are highly illustrative, they do not constitute a reason for a country to violate intellectual property laws.
According to the National Association of Manufacturers: "India's poor conduct, policies, practices, and its failure to engage in good-faith consultations to resolve these issues, make it eligible for the 'Priority Foreign Country' designation."
Other U.S. trade groups have also requested that Canada be added to the Priority Foreign Country list, as it is the only industrialized nation that has not provided any form of intellectual property term restoration to compensate for patent protection periods lost due to delays in the approval process.
It is important for the U.S. government to step into these markets to address policies that undermine U.S. innovation and the development of new drugs in the U.S. and globally.
U.S. lawmakers and the public recognize the importance of this issue. Americans know that if the United States wants to remain competitive, it needs to ensure that its hard work and innovation are not stolen.
Furthermore, Americans must protect the incentives that drive R&D personnel and the companies that support them, so that they can continue to pursue life-saving medical advancements.
Protecting intellectual property is beneficial to the United States. Americans have long complained that the United States is falling behind, is giving up opportunities, and is no longer the giant it once was.
However, there is some validity to these complaints, and the U.S. currently has an opportunity to do something to promote economic growth.
The pharmaceutical industry employs 30% of the U.S. workforce. Protecting intellectual property means protecting this 30% of the workforce, keeping them employed, and promoting growth in the sluggish U.S. economy.
U.S. innovation is a cornerstone of the American nation. It is the responsibility of Americans to protect it.