Bangladesh and other LDCs are exempted from patent protection by WTO for an extended period until 2033 (from original 2016). Bangladesh is allowed to produce any patented medicines without taking prior permission from innovator. Advantages of being under TRIPS exemption are-

• Bangladesh pharma formulate drugs of which 80% are generics and 20% are patented drugs
• Bangladesh has achieved the exemption from TRIPS although it is the only one among 49 LDCs that has adequate manufacturing capability and a quasi-self-sufficient sector where firms are legally producing newly patented generic drugs
• We can export to any country if the medicine is not under patent
• We have export opportunity to another LDC or non-WTO country that has not implemented product patent protection
• We can export to a country where patent holder has not filed for patent
• Export opportunity to a country that issued compulsory license and awarded the production contact to Bangladesh