Access to medicines

Access to Medicines

Martin Shkreli testifying before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in 2016

Logo of the World Trade Organization

Global prevalence of HIV/AIDS in 2009

Chemical structure of a pharmaceutical compound

Access to medicines refers to the ability of individuals to obtain essential pharmaceutical drugs and medical treatments necessary for maintaining health and treating diseases. This topic encompasses a wide range of issues, including drug pricing, intellectual property rights, healthcare systems, and global health policies.

Overview

Access to medicines is a critical component of public health and is influenced by various factors such as the availability of generic drugs, the cost of brand-name drugs, and the regulatory environment. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines essential medicines as those that satisfy the priority healthcare needs of the population.

Challenges

Drug Pricing

One of the major challenges in access to medicines is the high cost of drugs. Pharmaceutical companies often set high prices for new medications, which can limit access for patients, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The case of Martin Shkreli, who significantly increased the price of the drug Daraprim, highlights the impact of drug pricing on access.

Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual property laws, particularly patents, play a significant role in access to medicines. Patents can restrict the production of generic versions of drugs, keeping prices high. The World Trade Organization's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) has provisions that affect how countries can produce and distribute generic medicines.

Global Health Inequities

Access to medicines is unevenly distributed across the globe, with significant disparities between high-income and low-income countries. HIV/AIDS is an example where access to antiretroviral therapy has been a major issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Strategies to Improve Access

Generic Drug Production

Encouraging the production and distribution of generic drugs can significantly reduce costs and improve access. Generic drugs are typically much cheaper than their brand-name counterparts and can be produced once the patent on a drug expires.

International Agreements

International agreements and collaborations, such as the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, aim to ensure that intellectual property rights do not prevent access to essential medicines.

Government Policies

Governments can implement policies to regulate drug prices, subsidize essential medicines, and support local pharmaceutical industries to improve access.

Related Pages

• Pharmaceutical industry
• World Health Organization
• Generic drug
• Intellectual property

Gallery

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  Martin Shkreli testifying before the House Committee

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  World Trade Organization logo

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  Global prevalence of HIV/AIDS

• 

  Chemical structure of a pharmaceutical compound

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  Martin Shkreli testifying before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in 2016

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  World Trade Organization logo and wordmark

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  AIDS and HIV prevalence in 2009

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  Access to medicines