Journal of Chemical Health Risks (Islamic Azad University, Iran)
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Intellectual Property Rights in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Balancing Innovation and Access
Full text linkThe pharmaceutical industry operates within a delicate equilibrium between fostering innovation and ensuring equitable access to medicines. Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), particularly patents, serve as crucial incentives that drive pharmaceutical research and development by offering commercial exclusivity to innovators. However, these protections often create barriers to the timely and affordable availability of life-saving drugs, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This review examines the multidimensional impact of IPRs on the pharmaceutical landscape, integrating perspectives from economics, ethics, public health, and international policy. The paper analyzes theoretical underpinnings such as libertarian and utilitarian frameworks, evaluates collaborative models of innovation, and addresses the contentious issues of bioprospecting and misappropriation of traditional knowledge. It also highlights ethical concerns in industry-sponsored research and discusses the shift toward open innovation and hybrid IP strategies. Ultimately, the review advocates for a more balanced and ethically grounded IPR regime—one that harmonizes commercial interests with global health equity through transparent, inclusive, and adaptive policy mechanisms
Compulsory Licensing in Pharma: How it Affects Drug Prices and Accessibility
Full text linkThis review critically examines the role of compulsory licensing (CL) in the pharmaceutical industry as a tool to balance public health needs with intellectual property rights. Grounded in the TRIPS Agreement under the World Trade Organization, CL enables governments to authorize the production or import of generic versions of patented medicines without the consent of patent holders, especially during public health emergencies. Drawing from over 25 global research articles and policy analyses, the paper evaluates how CL has improved drug affordability and access in low- and middle-income countries, with case studies from Brazil, Thailand, India, and Canada. While effective in curbing monopolistic pricing and enhancing accessibility, CL’s implementation is often hampered by legal, political, and economic barriers such as retaliatory trade pressures and weak manufacturing infrastructure. The study highlights the need for international support, clearer legislation, and capacity-building to fully leverage CL as a pro-public health mechanism. It concludes that with strategic reform and equitable governance, CL can serve as a sustainable model for achieving global drug equity without undermining pharmaceutical innovatio
Effectiveness of Physiotherapy (Short Wave Diathermy) in Reducing Chronic Neck Pain
No full textBackground: Chronic neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder contributing to significant functional disability and reduced quality of life worldwide. Physiotherapy has been recognized as an effective, non-pharmacologic approach for managing chronic neck pain; however, local evidence on its effectiveness in Bangladesh remains limited.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy (Short Wave Diathermy) in reducing pain intensity and improving functional outcomes among patients with chronic neck pain attending a tertiary hospital in Bangladesh.
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Physical Medicine at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, from January to December 2015. A total of 51 patients aged 18 years and above with chronic neck pain (duration ≥ 3 months) were enrolled using a purposive sampling technique. Participants underwent a structured physiotherapy program comprising hot pack therapy, isometric and stretching exercises, and postural correction with ergonomic education over a 4-week period. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after physiotherapy. Data were analyzed using SPSS, and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Among 51 participants, 56.9% were female and 43.1% were male, with a mean age of 38.7 ± 9.5 years. The mean pre-treatment VAS score was 7.26 ± 1.12, which significantly decreased to 3.18 ± 1.07 post-treatment (p < 0.001). Marked functional improvement was observed, with 90.2% reporting better neck movement, 84.3% improved daily activity performance, and 80.4% improved sleep quality. No significant association was found between pain reduction and socio-demographic variables (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Physiotherapy (Short Wave Diathermy) was found to be highly effective in reducing chronic neck pain and improving functional outcomes, regardless of age, gender, or occupation. These findings support the integration of structured physiotherapy programs into routine clinical care as a safe and cost-effective management strategy for chronic neck pain in Bangladesh
