INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL MEDICINES IN NIGERIA: STRIKING A BALANCE BETWEEN INNOVATION, PUBLIC HEALTH AND AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE

Abstract

Intellectual Property Rights and Access to Essential Medicines in Nigeria: Striking a Balance between Innovation, Public Health, and Affordable Healthcare" explore the complex relationship between intellectual property rights, access to essential medicines, and the overall healthcare situation in Nigeria as a result of exclusive rights conferred on the owners of such creativity. These rights promote innovation in the pharmaceutical industry and if not properly regulated, has the ability of limiting people from accessing necessary drugs and medical equipment, thereby leading to high prices of the innovations. In Nigeria, there is in existence legal and ethical consequences of intellectual property rights violations especially patents, and has led to high rate of counterfeit in healthcare system. The exclusive rights of the owners may pose problems for the availability and affordability of essential medicines, and these obstacles affect public health outcomes in Nigeria. This study aims at assessing the roles intellectual property rights play on healthcare delivery in Nigeria and its ability to give incentives to innovations and attracting distinct investments in drugs. In the course of carrying out this research, doctrinal research methodology and it recommended among others that there is high need for awareness program in Nigeria that will educate the key actors involved and the general public on the need to strike a balance between intellectual property rights and access to health. The study concluded that a well-regulated intellectual property system can potentially contribute to the advancement of novel and improved medicines, thereby improving public health.