(3) Where the Central Government is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient In the public interest so to do, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette and notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions of this Act, direct the Controller with respect to—
(a) all applications for patents, whether made before or after the commencement of the Indian Patents and Designs (Amendment) Ordinance, 1968, in respect of inventions relating to—
(i) substances used or capable of being used as food or as medicine or drug, or
(ii) the methods or processes for the manufacture or production of any such substance as is referred to in sub-clause (i); or
(b) any class of applications referred to in clause (a), to abstain from doing, or delay the doing of any thing which he would otherwise be required to do in relation to such applications and the Controller shall comply with such direction.
(2) The question whether a direction issued under sub-section (1) continues to be necessary or expedient in the public interest, shall be reconsidered by the Central Government within nine months from the date of issue of such direction and thereafter at intervals not exceeding twelve months, and if, on such Special provisions in respect of applications for patents in the field of food, drug or medicine.
424 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [PART tl reconsideration, it appears to the Central Government that it would no longer be necessary or expedient in the public interest to continue the direction, it shall revoke the direction.
(3) The result of every reconsideration under sub-section (2) shall be published in the Official Gazette.
(4) Any directions issued under rule 47 of the Defence of India Rules, 1962, in respect of such applications or classes of applications for patents as are referred to in sub-section (1), and in force immediately before the commencement of the Indian Patents and Designs (Amendment) Ordinance, 1968, shall, in ao far as such directions are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section, be deemed to have been issued under that sub-section and accordingly the provisions of this section shall, so far as may be, apply to such applications.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,—
(a) "food" means any substance intended for the use of babies, invalids or convalescents, as an article of food or drink;
(b) "medicine or drug" includes—
(i) all medicines for internal or external use of human beings or animals,
(ii) all substances intended to be used for or in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of diseases in human beings or animals, (Hi) all substances intended to be used tor or in the maintenance of public health, or the prevention or control of any epidemic disease among human beings or animals,
(iv) all chemical substances which are ordinarily used as intermediates in the preparation or manufacture of any of the medicines or substances referred to above, but does not include insecticide, germicide, fungicide or any other substance intended to be used for the protection or preservation of plants.