Introduction: This quiz collection focuses on the role of GATT, TRIPS and WIPO as they shape intellectual property rights relevant to pharmaceutical sciences. It explains trade rules, patent standards, data protection, compulsory licensing and international cooperation that directly affect drug discovery, generic entry and access to medicines. The questions emphasize legal provisions, treaty mechanisms and real‑world implications for M.Pharm students—such as patent term, regulatory test data protection, Bolar exemptions, and public health flexibilities. Use these MCQs to test your understanding of how multilateral trade rules and WIPO instruments influence patent strategy, regulatory affairs and policy choices in the pharmaceutical sector.
Q1. What is the primary focus of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)?
- Multilateral rules for trade in goods, focusing on tariff reductions and elimination of quantitative restrictions
- Harmonizing international patent laws and grant procedures
- Administering copyright and related rights globally
- Providing funding for pharmaceutical research in developing countries
Correct Answer: Multilateral rules for trade in goods, focusing on tariff reductions and elimination of quantitative restrictions
Q2. When did the Agreement on Trade‑Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) come into force?
- 1984, alongside the founding of WIPO
- 1995, with the establishment of the World Trade Organization
- 2001, after the Doha Declaration
- 1970, as an annex to the Paris Convention
Correct Answer: 1995, with the establishment of the World Trade Organization
Q3. Under TRIPS, what is the minimum standard patent term for member countries?
- 10 years from grant
- 15 years from invention
- 20 years from filing as per TRIPS Article 33
- Life of the inventor plus 50 years
Correct Answer: 20 years from filing as per TRIPS Article 33
Q4. Which WIPO treaty simplifies filing patents in multiple countries through a single international application?
- Berne Convention
- Paris Convention
- Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
- TRIPS Agreement
Correct Answer: Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Q5. What key message did the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health (2001) convey?
- TRIPS prohibits any compulsory licensing for medicines
- TRIPS must be interpreted to support public health and flexibilities such as compulsory licensing
- All patents on medicines should be extended to 25 years
- WIPO, not WTO, will handle all public health disputes
Correct Answer: TRIPS must be interpreted to support public health and flexibilities such as compulsory licensing
Q6. Which TRIPS article specifically sets out conditions for compulsory licensing and use of a patent without the right holder’s authorization?
- Article 27
- Article 31
- Article 39
- Article 66
Correct Answer: Article 31
Q7. Which TRIPS provision addresses protection of undisclosed information and regulatory test data?
- Article 27 – patentable subject matter
- Article 39 – protection of undisclosed information and test data
- Article 33 – patent term
- Article 42 – criminal procedures
Correct Answer: Article 39 – protection of undisclosed information and test data
Q8. Which principle requires WTO members to treat foreign IP owners no less favorably than domestic IP owners?
- Most‑Favoured‑Nation (MFN) only
- National treatment (treat foreign nationals like domestic ones)
- Territoriality principle for patents
- Exclusive economic zone principle
Correct Answer: National treatment (treat foreign nationals like domestic ones)
Q9. What is a principal role of WIPO in the international IP system?
- Adjudicating WTO disputes under the Dispute Settlement Body
- Administering international IP treaties, providing technical assistance and norm‑setting (WIPO role)
- Granting patents on behalf of all member states
- Setting tariff schedules for IP‑related goods
Correct Answer: Administering international IP treaties, providing technical assistance and norm‑setting (WIPO role)
Q10. What does the Most‑Favoured‑Nation (MFN) principle require in trade and TRIPS context?
- Granting exclusive rights to the largest trading partner only
- Treating imported goods from any WTO member no less favorably than goods from any other member
- Applying different patent terms for different countries based on GDP
- Allowing unilateral trade sanctions for IP violations
Correct Answer: Treating imported goods from any WTO member no less favorably than goods from any other member
Q11. Which kinds of inventions can TRIPS allow member states to exclude from patentability?
- All chemical compounds without exception
- Diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical methods for the treatment of humans and animals and inventions contrary to ordre public or morality
- Only inventions related to agriculture
- Inventions invented by non‑nationals only
Correct Answer: Diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical methods for the treatment of humans and animals and inventions contrary to ordre public or morality
Q12. Is the experimental use or Bolar exemption compatible with TRIPS?
- No; TRIPS explicitly bans any regulatory testing before patent expiry
- Yes; TRIPS allows limited exceptions like early development and regulatory testing (Bolar exemption) under Article 30
- Only if approved by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body
- Yes, but only for biological products, not small molecules
Correct Answer: Yes; TRIPS allows limited exceptions like early development and regulatory testing (Bolar exemption) under Article 30
Q13. Does WIPO offer dispute resolution services such as mediation and arbitration for IP conflicts?
- No; WIPO only drafts treaties and cannot host dispute resolution
- Yes; WIPO provides mediation and arbitration services for IP disputes
- Only for copyright disputes, not patents
- WIPO refers all disputes to national courts exclusively
Correct Answer: Yes; WIPO provides mediation and arbitration services for IP disputes
Q14. What is the subject matter of TRIPS Article 27?
- Term of copyright protection
- Patentable subject matter, obligation to make patents available in all fields of technology with certain exceptions
- Enforcement of trademarks at borders
- Procedures for international arbitration
Correct Answer: Patentable subject matter, obligation to make patents available in all fields of technology with certain exceptions
Q15. Which TRIPS provision provided transition periods for developing and least‑developed countries to implement obligations?
- Article 1 – scope and objectives
- Article 65 – transitional arrangements for implementation
- Article 100 – emergency provisions
- Article 10 – publication requirements
Correct Answer: Article 65 – transitional arrangements for implementation
Q16. In pharmaceutical IP strategy, what does “evergreening” mean?
- Using green chemistry to make drugs more eco‑friendly
- Extending patent protection via minor modifications, new formulations, or secondary patents
- Converting patents into trademarks for longer protection
- Licensing patents to multiple generics simultaneously
Correct Answer: Extending patent protection via minor modifications, new formulations, or secondary patents
Q17. Which part of TRIPS deals with enforcement of intellectual property rights, including civil and criminal measures?
- Articles 1–10
- Articles 41–61, Enforcement of intellectual property rights (civil, criminal and border measures)
- Articles 80–90, Transitional measures
- Annex on technical cooperation
Correct Answer: Articles 41–61, Enforcement of intellectual property rights (civil, criminal and border measures)
Q18. Which TRIPS Article requires Most‑Favoured‑Nation (MFN) treatment among members?
- Article 3
- Article 4 – most‑favoured‑nation treatment
- Article 27
- Article 31
Correct Answer: Article 4 – most‑favoured‑nation treatment
Q19. What practical flexibility does the Article 31bis amendment to TRIPS provide for pharmaceuticals?
- It lengthens patent terms for essential medicines
- It permits export under compulsory licensing to eligible importing countries lacking manufacturing capacity
- It abolishes all compulsory licensing options
- It creates a global patent that supersedes national patents
Correct Answer: It permits export under compulsory licensing to eligible importing countries lacking manufacturing capacity
Q20. How does the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) administered by WIPO assist pharmaceutical applicants?
- By granting an automatic patent in all contracting states after a single filing
- By streamlining international patent filing through a single international application and deferring national phase entries
- By removing the need for substantive examination entirely
- By replacing national patent offices for enforcement purposes
Correct Answer: By streamlining international patent filing through a single international application and deferring national phase entries
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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