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 ?

Correct Option: 3 and 4

Let us evaluate the assumptions based on the passage: Assumption 1 states that patent protection puts a huge burden on public's purchasing power. While the passage mentions higher prices for patented medicines, it justifies this as a legitimate mechanism for R&D returns, and does not explicitly claim it puts a 'huge burden' on purchasing power as a primary premise. Assumption 2 states dependence on other countries is a burden for developing countries; this is factually external and not mentioned or implied in the text. Assumption 3 states that providing medicines at affordable prices is a key goal in public health policy design; while patents grant high prices temporarily, the underlying premise of public health policy everywhere is affordability, and balancing this is crucial. Assumption 4 states governments need to find an appropriate balance between patentee rights and patient requirements; this is directly supported by the text discussing the cost of patent protection versus public benefit. Thus, assumptions 3 and 4 are valid. Option (c) is correct.