INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND PUBLIC HEALTH : A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Intellectual Property plays a vital role in making sure that essential medicines and medical products are safe, affordable, easy to get, and widely available. IPR has supported the healthcare sector by improving patient treatment, by discover new cures for old diseases, boosting the economy, addressing global health problems, and ensuring long-term progress in medical care.This research paper looks at how Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), especially patentsaffect public health. IPR laws help companies by giving them the right to control their inventions, which encourages them to develop new medicines. However, these rights can also lead to high medicine prices, making it hard for poor people to afford life-saving treatments. The paper studies international rules like the TRIPS Agreement and shows how some countries, like India, use special options such as compulsory licenses to make medicines more affordable. Real-life examples are discussed to show how laws can protect both innovation and peoples health. The paper also talks about how IPR affected access to medicines during the COVID-19 crisis. In the end, it suggests that the IPR system should be fair supporting both medical research and everyones right to get the treatment they need. Compulsory license is a legal process which allows a government to authorize the use of a patentedprocess and product invention without the consent of patent holder under certain conditions. In the context of public health, especially Compulsory License in developing countries like India, compulsory licensing serves as a critical tool to ensure access to affordable medicines. This paper explores the significance, legal framework, case studies, and public benefits of compulsory licensing, with a focus on its role in promoting public health, controlling monopolistic pricing, and addressing national emergencies.