ISLAMABAD, Aug 16: The Executive Officer, International Intellectual Property Section of Australian Government, Geoff Binns, has agreed with the impression that granting of patent rights would curb competition and might result in increase of prices of some new essential life saving drugs.

Talking to Dawn on Tuesday, he said that it was the responsibility of the government to keep check on the prices of the essential drugs.

Pakistan has started issuing patent rights on agro-chemical and pharmaceutical products or process since January 1, 2005 under Agreement on Trade related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs)

He was talking to this scribe at the conclusion of a two days seminar on WTO TRIPS and Geographical Indications. It was organized jointly by ministry of commerce with the assistance of Australian government.

Replying to question, Mr. Binns said a strong and effective patent system would help in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).

He said that the public and private partnership would address the issue of keeping balance in the prices of patented commodities. He said that a viable competitive policy would help, to a great extent, in reducing the chances of monopolies over certain products.

Meanwhile, speaking at the inaugural session of the seminar, the Australian High Commissioner Ms Zorica McCarthy said her country has developed fairly consistent expertise in Agriculture, and a high level delegation from Australia is currently visiting Pakistan. Australia also has considerable knowledge and expertise to contribute in the ongoing negotiations in the WTO.

“This seminar is one of the collaborative efforts to assist Pakistan specifically in the area of trade by sharing expertise and contributing to the enhance awareness in WTO related issues,” she said.

Ms Zorica said that this exchange of ideas would provide an opportunity to understand each other’s position in the context of the ongoing negotiation on various issues in the WTO and possibility of future cooperation.

The Director General of Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (PIPRO), Yasin Tahir apprised the participants of the efforts being initiated by the government to strengthen the Intellectual Property Infrastructure and to interdict Intellectual Property violations in the country.