UPSC Prelims 2023 · CSAT
Question 63: Reading Comprehension
Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :
- 1.Patent protection given to patentees puts a huge burden on public's purchasing power in accessing patented medicines.
- 2.Dependence on other countries for pharmaceutical products is a huge burden for developing and poor countries.
- 3.Providing medicines to the public at affordable prices is a key goal during the public health policy design in many countries.
- 4.Governments need to find an appropriate balance between the rights of patentees and the requirements of the patients.
Which of the above assumptions are valid ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The passage says patents let the holder fix prices during the monopoly, that these prices may be out of the public's reach, and yet that patents reward innovation and R&D and benefit the public in the long run. Statement 1 follows, since high prices burden buyers. Statement 4 follows, since the trade-off between rewarding patentees and affordability implies a balance is needed. Dependence on other countries (2) and affordability as a policy goal in many countries (3) are not discussed.
- 1. Higher prices during the patent term strain the public's ability to buy.
- 2. Dependence on other countries is not discussed.
- 3. Affordability as a goal of public health policy in many countries is not stated.
- 4. The cost-versus-reward trade-off implies a balance between patentees and patients.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (c) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Higher prices during the patent term strain the public's ability to buy.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: Dependence on other countries is not discussed.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 3 or 4.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: statement 2, dependence on other countries, is not in the passage.
- (b) Right: statements 1 and 4 follow from the passage.
- (c) Wrong: statement 3 is not in the passage.
- (d) Wrong: neither statement 2 nor statement 3 is in the passage.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2023, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.