Now, responding to industry alarm over those demands, the Trump administration is proposing to strictly limit the little-known power. The move by the Department of Commerce is supported by drug manufacturers and research universities but could undermine Trump’s populist message of attacking drug prices. March-in rights have never been used by the government, which historically has encouraged the flow of discoveries to private business for development. “Clear, uniform standards for applying patent march-in rights across the government would benefit the entire innovation ecosystem,’’ a spokesman said Thursday. Democratic senators in 2016 asked the Obama administration to exercise march-in rights in response to drug prices and were rebuffed.

Source: Washington Post April 18, 2019 11:47 UTC