Tag

Access To Medicines

All articles tagged with #access to medicines

health28 days ago•6 min saved

Gilead's HIV PrEP Pricing Sparks Latin American Access Fight

Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly PrEP drug from Gilead that nearly prevents HIV infection, is priced at about $14,000 per dose in the US, while a reduced generic license aims for roughly $40 per dose in 120 low- and middle-income countries. Upper-middle-income Latin American countries like Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Peru don’t qualify, prompting protests and stalled negotiations over access. Officials and UNAIDS urge faster, broader access, as Gilead says it’s continuing regional talks and exploring other long-acting PrEP options to widen supply amid ongoing manufacturing constraints.

via Business Insider|

#access-to-medicines #drug-pricing #health

business4 months ago•13 min saved

Gilead's Lenacapavir Dilemma: A HIV Breakthrough Hindered by Access Rules

Lenacapavir could be a game-changer in HIV, but Gilead’s practice of not selling directly to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), limiting supply via the Global Fund to just 2 million doses over three years, and its licensing that excludes 26 middle-income countries has sparked criticism that profits trump public health. Gilead argues it is expanding access through generic licenses and deals with Global Fund and PEPFAR to deliver low- or no-profit supply, with a broader rollout planned in 2027 via generics in 120 countries, but concrete expansion remains uncertain.

via Los Angeles Times|

#access-to-medicines #business #gilead

health11 months ago•3 min saved

WHO Includes GLP-1 Weight Loss and Diabetes Drugs in Essential Medicines List

The WHO has added GLP-1 drugs for diabetes to its essential medicines list to improve global access, highlighting their importance despite high costs, and encouraging generic production to increase affordability. The list also includes treatments for cystic fibrosis and cancer, aiming to enhance availability worldwide.

via Reuters|

#access-to-medicines #diabetes #essential-medicines-list

health2 years ago•5 min saved

Global Battle for Access to Life-Saving Drugs: South Africa, Colombia, and More Take on Drugmakers

South Africa, Colombia, and other countries that faced challenges in accessing COVID-19 vaccines are now taking a more confrontational approach towards drugmakers, pushing back on policies that restrict affordable treatment for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV. These countries are seeking to become more self-reliant and are challenging pharmaceutical companies to make life-saving medicines more widely available. Activists have protested against Johnson & Johnson's efforts to protect its patent on the TB drug bedaquiline, leading to the company dropping its patent in over 130 countries. In Colombia, the government plans to issue a compulsory license for the HIV drug dolutegravir without permission from the patent-holder. However, experts emphasize the need for broader changes to ensure equal access to medicines and vaccines, including strengthening health systems and reforming intellectual property laws.

via ABC News|

#access-to-medicines #colombia #drugmakers

health2 years ago•5 min saved

Global Battle for Access to Life-Saving Medications: South Africa, Colombia, and More Take on Drugmakers

South Africa, Colombia, and other countries that faced challenges in accessing COVID-19 vaccines are now taking a more confrontational approach towards drugmakers, pushing back on policies that restrict affordable treatment for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV. These countries are seeking to become more self-reliant in the production of lifesaving medicines and are challenging pharmaceutical companies to ensure wider access to treatments. Activists have protested against Johnson & Johnson's efforts to protect its patent on the TB drug bedaquiline, leading to the company dropping its patent in over 130 countries. In Colombia, the government plans to issue a compulsory license for the HIV drug dolutegravir without permission from the patent-holder. However, experts emphasize the need for broader changes in intellectual property laws and stronger health systems to ensure equal access to medicines and vaccines in poorer countries.

via ABC News|

#access-to-medicines #colombia #drugmakers