Publication
Title
Can drug patents be morally justified?
Author
Abstract
This paper offers a few elements of an answer to the question to what extent drug patents can be morally justified. Justifications based on natural rights, distributive justice and utilitarian arguments are discussed and criticized. The author recognizes the potential of the patents to benefit society but argues that the system is currently evolving in the wrong direction, particularly in the field of drugs. More than a third of the world's population has no access to essential drugs. The working of the patent system is an important determinant of access to drugs. This paper argues that drug patents are not easily justified and that the 'architecture' of the patent system should be rethought in view of its mission of benefiting society.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Science and engineering ethics. - Opragen, 1995, currens
Source (book)
5th International Bioethics Conference, APR 23-24, 2004, Warsaw, POLAND
Publication
Opragen : Guildford , 2005
ISSN
1353-3452 [print]
1471-5546 [online]
DOI
10.1007/S11948-005-0059-3
Volume/pages
11 :1 (2005) , p. 81-92
ISI
000226839800012
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 03.01.2013
Last edited 03.09.2024
To cite this reference