How University Policies Affect Access: Universities Allied for Essential Medicines

Universities Allied for Essential Medicines

ABOUT US FACTS & FALLACIES PATENTS & ACCESS THE d4T STORY THE EAL CAMPUS CAMPAIGNS ADDITIONAL READING JOIN US CONTACT US HOME	How University Policies Affect Access... The vast majority of university research funding--in many cases more than 75% of all research funding at a university--comes from the federal government, which redistributes funds from taxpayers' pockets. Universities once refused to patent their inventions because they thought patents were antithetical to public health and to the collaborative model of academic science. Today, seeking ways to commercialize and protect their research, universities frequently patent inventions that they believe might be profitable. In 2001, U.S. based universities were granted more than 3000 U.S. patents. Where medical products are concerned, universities typically sign exclusive licenses with pharmaceutical companies. These exclusive agreements can create monopolies, generating artificially high prices. Allowing competition can lower those prices. Concerns have been raised about the impact of reforms to current university patenting and licensing practices: *Won't reforms in this area harm innovation?* *Aren't universities the wrong place to address this issue?* *Won't reforms worsen domestic drug prices?* *If universities reform, won't industry partners refuse to deal with them?* These and similar claims are addressed in our Q&A document. Our student primer also offers an overview of basic issues like how patents and licenses work and why they've become an important public health issue. Fans of Chicago Blackhawks would give anything to be there at the stadium to support their favorite team in the Western Conference Finals. Chicago Blackhawks is a professional American ice hockey team that has won numerous awards including the prestigious Stanley Cup. They have also won a number of conference and division championships since it was founded in 1926.Here Come the Hawks!” is the official fight and theme song of the Chicago Blackhawks. Jonathan Toews became the captain of this team in 2009 at the age of 20. Rocky Wirtz has been the owner of this team since 2007. Get your NHL Western Conference Finals Chicago Blackhawks Tickets now!

How University Policies Affect Access...

The vast majority of university research funding--in many cases more than 75% of all research funding at a university--comes from the federal government, which redistributes funds from taxpayers' pockets. Universities once refused to patent their inventions because they thought patents were antithetical to public health and to the collaborative model of academic science.

Today, seeking ways to commercialize and protect their research, universities frequently patent inventions that they believe might be profitable. In 2001, U.S. based universities were granted more than 3000 U.S. patents. Where medical products are concerned, universities typically sign exclusive licenses with pharmaceutical companies. These exclusive agreements can create monopolies, generating artificially high prices. Allowing competition can lower those prices.

Concerns have been raised about the impact of reforms to current university patenting and licensing practices:

Won't reforms in this area harm innovation?

Aren't universities the wrong place to address this issue?

Won't reforms worsen domestic drug prices?

If universities reform, won't industry partners refuse to deal with them?

These and similar claims are addressed in our Q&A document. Our student primer also offers an overview of basic issues like how patents and licenses work and why they've become an important public health issue.

Fans of Chicago Blackhawks would give anything to be there at the stadium to support their favorite team in the Western Conference Finals. Chicago Blackhawks is a professional American ice hockey team that has won numerous awards including the prestigious Stanley Cup. They have also won a number of conference and division championships since it was founded in 1926.Here Come the Hawks!” is the official fight and theme song of the Chicago Blackhawks. Jonathan Toews became the captain of this team in 2009 at the age of 20. Rocky Wirtz has been the owner of this team since 2007. Get your NHL Western Conference Finals Chicago Blackhawks Tickets now!