Ellen ‘t Hoen|Jonathan Berger|Alexandra Calmy|Suerie Moon
Driving a decade of change: HIV/AIDS, patents and access to medicines for all
Medicines Patent Pool|Médecins Sans Frontières|University Hospital of Geneva|John F. Kennedy University|Harvard University
since 2000 access antiretroviral drugs treat hiv infection dramatically increased reach five million people developing countries essential achievement dramatic reduction antiretroviral prices result global political mobilization cleared way competitive production generic versions widely patented medicinesglobal trade rules agreed upon 1994 required many developing countries begin offering patents medicines first time government civil society reaction expected increases drug prices precipitated series events challenging rules culminating 2001 world trade organizations doha declaration agreement traderelated aspects intellectual property rights public health declaration affirmed patent rules interpreted implemented protect public health promote access medicines since doha 60 low middleincome countries procured generic versions patented medicines large scaledespite changes however treatment timebomb awaits first increasing numbers people need access newer antiretrovirals treatment costs rising since new arvs likely widely patented developing countries second policy space produce import generic versions patented medicines shrinking developing countries third funding medicines falling far short needs expanded use existing flexibilities patent law new models address second wave access medicines crisis requiredone promising new mechanism unitaidsupported medicines patent pool seeks facilitate access patents enable competitive generic medicines production development improved products innovative approaches possible today due previous decade aids activism however pool one broad set policies needed ensure access medicines key measures include sufficient reliable financing research development new products targeted use resourcepoor settings use patent law flexibilities governments must live obligations protect access medicines fundamental component human right health