Tag

Access To Medicines

All articles tagged with #access to medicines

Gilead's Lenacapavir Dilemma: A HIV Breakthrough Hindered by Access Rules
business2 days ago

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.

Global Battle for Access to Life-Saving Drugs: South Africa, Colombia, and More Take on Drugmakers
health2 years ago

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.

Global Battle for Access to Life-Saving Medications: South Africa, Colombia, and More Take on Drugmakers
health2 years ago

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.