Singapore: The federal government in Australia has initiated a review of the patenting of pharmaceuticals in the country. The move was announced in October this year when it appointed an expert panel to review the "appropriateness of the extension arrangements for pharmaceutical patents".

The panel has released a background and suggested issues paper, which have been made available on the review's website. Written submissions to the review have been invited by IP Australia and they can be submitted till January 21, 2013.

The review will evaluate whether the system for pharmaceutical patents is effectively balancing the objectives of securing timely access to competitively priced pharmaceuticals, fostering innovation and supporting employment in research and industry. A particular focus of the review will be the extension of term provisions.

Mr Tony Harris, former NSW auditor-general and parliamentary budget officer, is the chair of the review committee. Professor Dianne Nicol, associate dean, research, Law Faculty at the University of Tasmania, and Dr Nicholas Gruen, CEO of Lateral Economics, are the other members of the panel.