Which of the following best describes the exclusive rights granted by a patent?

A patent grants the holder exclusive rights that allow for the manufacture, use, and sale of an invention, in this case, a drug. This means that the patent owner is given the legal privilege to produce and sell the drug without competition from others for a specific period, typically 20 years from the filing date. This exclusivity is intended to incentivize innovation by providing a temporary monopoly, enabling the patent holder to recover research and development costs.

The essence of a patent is to protect the intellectual property rights associated with the invention, providing the owner control over the commercial aspects of their drug. As such, this means that only the patent holder can legally manufacture and market the drug, preventing others from doing so without permission.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the core rights conferred by a patent. Distributing drugs freely does not relate to patent rights, as patents concern ownership and exclusive rights rather than the distribution of products. Conducting research on drugs is also not restricted by a patent, as research can be conducted on existing patents, although it may be subject to certain regulations or implications for commercial use. Lastly, while patents can impact drug pricing indirectly due to the exclusivity they provide, they do not grant explicit rights to influence pricing