USTR keeps India on watch list, plans to launch review

The U.S. Trade Representative did not assign India its harshest ranking of Priority Foreign Country status, which can lead to trade sanctions, but said it will conduct an Out-of-Cycle Review (OCR) of the country this fall with the country's new government to "encourage progress on [intellectual property rights] issues of concern." The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America had requested USTR assign India Priority Foreign Country status because of the "systematic pattern of undermining patented medicines" in the country.

USTR noted that innovators in the pharma sector face "serious challenges in securing and enforcing patents" in India and said it is conducting the OCR to evaluate the "level of engagement" of India's new government with resolving concerns about the country's innovation environment. PhRMA said the review "provides a needed avenue for constructive engagement with the incoming Indian government on how to resolve the deteriorating IP environment in India." India's new government takes office at the end of May. USTR conducts OCRs to encourage progress on issues of concern and "heighten engagement and cooperation with trading partners." ...