Intellectual Property Committee
Priority Issues and Activities
1. promotion of efforts to address international issues related to intellectual property
4. promotion of information dissemination by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ) on intellectual property (IP) issues, including global health (next pandemic response such as the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Convention, access to medicines, and neglected tropical diseases)
To this end, we will work with the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), overseas pharmaceutical organizations (such as the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA)), and relevant Japanese ministries and agencies to gather information on domestic and international trends, identify issues, consider solutions, and take action toward solutions.
Work with IFPMA and overseas pharmaceutical organizations on issues related to the grant of rights to pharmaceutical patents and restrictions on the exercise of those rights as particularly important issues.
The main specific activities are as follows
- Response to international discussions on the next pandemic and access to medicines, such as the Pandemic Convention
- Participation in IFPMA/IIPT committees
- Collaboration with overseas pharmaceutical organizations (PhRMA, EFPIA, etc.) and other industry associations
- Liaison with relevant ministries and agencies
- Support for Japanese government and IFPMA activities at the World Trade Organization (WTO), WHO, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), etc.
- Surveys and research to resolve issues
2. promotion of efforts for international harmonization of IP systems
Promote the lobbying of overseas government agencies through bilateral and multilateral consultations such as Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and inter-governmental meetings among patent offices, as well as through responses to public commentary, etc., in cooperation with relevant Japanese ministries and agencies and overseas pharmaceutical organizations, with a view to achieving a high level of international harmonization of intellectual property systems.
The main specific activities are as follows
- Consult with relevant domestic ministries and agencies on issues related to IP systems in various countries and support Japanese government activities in bilateral and multilateral discussions.
- Collaborate with corresponding overseas pharmaceutical organizations and respond to pubic comments.
- Monitor the actual operation of IP systems and judicial decisions by governments in each country and identify issues that need to be addressed.
- Review and implement the Korea mission.
3. promotion of resolution of issues related to life sciences, including intellectual property promotion plans
Respond to the Intellectual Property Strategic Headquarters' Intellectual Property Promotion Plan and the government's plans related to intellectual property, such as the Health and Medical Care Strategic Headquarters,
- Data protection system
- Patent Linkage System
- Items to be considered by the Patent System Subcommittee of the SIPO
In addition to cooperating with the government's activities, we will actively consult and negotiate with other organizations and relevant ministries and agencies to promote the realization of solutions to various issues related to life sciences, including the following.
Specifically, we will study the above issues and, if possible, make proposals to the government and others. In particular, we aim to make proposals on the data protection system as soon as possible.
In addition, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ) will use the following opportunities to communicate its opinions.
- Dispatch of committee members to government councils, study groups, etc.
- Discussions and exchanges of opinions with relevant ministries and agencies
- Submission of pubic comments
4. promotion of dissemination of information on intellectual property as a pharmaceutical association
Collect information on a wide range of intellectual property issues, exchange opinions with experts and related parties, and actively and effectively communicate various proposals on intellectual property to the outside world to promote their implementation.
Specific measures include utilizing the Life Science IP Forum and other forums as a forum for information dissemination.