New intellectual property legislation good for pharma jobs in Cork – Collins

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Áine Collins, has said that new intellectual property legislation will be good for pharma jobs in Cork. Deputy Collins was speaking after the enactment of the Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.

“The new intellectual property legislation enacted this week is a very positive development for pharma jobs in Cork as it will make it easier for pharmaceutical companies to develop new products. Under the legislation, all acts carried out for purposes of clinical tests and trials to secure regulatory approval for new or generic versions of medical or veterinary products will be exempt from patent infringement.

“Cork has a strong pharmaceutical industry and regulatory change like this is good for the future of the sector. Companies like Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Schering Plough and Yves Rocher create highly skilled good quality jobs in Cork locations like Ballincollig, Macroom, Millstreet, Kanturk, Charleville. These jobs are crucial to the economic recovery in Cork and the wider Munster region. Protecting and supporting this industry is good for the sustainability of these jobs and the creation of further employment.

“The new legislation applies to research, test and trials carried out in Ireland for the purposes of developing new products and getting regulatory approval for those products anywhere in the world. Minister for Skills, Research & Innovation, Damien English has said that legitimate research and trials will now enjoy greater immunity from patent infringement proceedings, while any follow-on commercial manufacture will continue to enjoy legitimate patent protection.

“This legislation was actually part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs, which was launched in early 2012, with over 80,000 jobs added to the economy since then. This week’s CSO figures show that the Plan is working for Cork. The Live Register has decreased by 26.5% in Cork City and 24% across Cork County since the launch of the Action Plan for Jobs. I am delighted that the pharma sector is now going to benefit from the Action Plan because so many families in Cork depend on pharma jobs.”