Patents and Public Health

Patents grant inventors exclusive rights to their new medical inventions, like drugs or treatments, for a certain period. This encourages innovation by allowing companies to recoup their investments. However, patents can also limit access by making patented medicines more expensive, potentially restricting availability in public health settings or in low-income regions. Balancing patent protections with the need for affordable medicines is a key challenge in global health, aiming to promote innovation while ensuring that essential healthcare remains accessible to all.