The Netherlands Blocks Dr. Reddy’s Drug Shipment Bound For Brazil
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Dutch authorities seized a shipment of drugs from Dr. Reddy's Laboratories to Brazil, the first time a shipment of a major Indian drug maker has been seized for patent infringement. The drugs in the shipment were generics worth $500,000, composed primarily of losartan for treating high blood pressure and patented in The Netherlands by DuPont of U.S. as Cozaar. India's commerce secretary called the move an act of piracy and complained to the European Commission. Many shipments of small- and medium-sized Indian makers of bulk drugs had reported previous seizures by Dutch authorities of shipments bound for other countries. Indian lawyers argue the drugs are not destined for Dutch consumers and should not be blocked if they do not violate the patent laws of India or the nation of destination. (Click here for more