Access to medicines
Price components and access to medicines in
Delhi, India
India is well-known for its robust manufacturing sector, with dozens of manufacturers for each medicine. The government, at both central and state levels, shares responsibility for health care provision to the population. However, despite the fact that the government monitors the price of some medicines, WHO/HAI Medicine Price surveys conducted in six states in India between 2003 and 2005 showed low availability in the public sector and high out-of-pocket payments by patients and their families in the private sector. These surveys also showed an unexpected variation in prices between sectors, among therapeutic equivalents, and between scheduled and non-scheduled medicines. In order to investigate the relationship between medicine prices, price composition and pricing policy, a price components survey of medicine prices was conducted in Delhi in February and March 2007.
The bigger access to medicine picture: Life beyond TRIPS
This seminar was the first of two seminar days jointly hosted by Gareth Thomas
(Parliamentary under Secretary of State, DFID) and Richard Horton (Editor of The
Lancet). The objective of the seminars was to generate debate about the policy work
actions and support that DFID and others should pursue in relation to Access to
Medicines (ATM) over the next ten years. The two-day forum explored, with industry,
civil society, and academic and donor expertise, the question "are we doing everything
possible to promote access to medicines?"
Developing new technologies to address neglected diseases
This paper focuses on the complementary roles of Product Development Partnerships and Advanced Market Commitments as mechanisms to incentivise industry towards the development of health technologies for neglected diseases.
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Update on India and China and Access to Medicines
This update of the 2004 DFID study explains recent alignments between TRIPS and domestic laws in India and China and the practical implications for access to raw material and finished product supply of important medicines like tenofovir for AIDS and artemisinin combination therapies for malaria
Aligning supply and demand of ACTs
This paper considers the short and longer term options for aligning supply and demand of artemisin combination therapy for malaria.
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Independent Review of Medicines for Malaria Venture
This report reviews MMV’s mission, governance structures, management and operations, factors contributing to its successes to date and challenges for the future.
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Briefing note on Advance Purchase Commitments
This paper discusses the value-added of Advance Purchase Commitments, how they could be used alongside other incentives and investment approaches and the potential impact they might have on different types of product, stages of product development and types of firms.
Access to medicines and drug regulation in developing countries: a resource guide for DFID
This paper is an introduction to the key issues and debates in access to medicines (ATM) and drug regulation in developing countries. It outlines the current debates in ATM and regulation as well as providing details of the evidence base, including detailed references of studies and papers which have focused on specific issues and concerns.
Access to medicines in under-served markets: what are the implications of changes in intellectual property rights, trade and drug registration policy?
An overview paper of seven new studies (below) commissioned by the Access to Medicines team at the Department for International Development which focused on issues of current concern and debate in developing countries.
Processes and issues for improving access to medicines: willingness and ability to utilise TRIPS flexibilities in non-producing countries
This paper addresses varied ways by which a non-producing country may lawfully utilise TRIPS flexibilities, and looks at the internal and external forces which negatively affect non-producing countries’ ability and willingness to use TRIPS-compliant flexibilities.
Willingness and ability to use TRIPS flexibilities: Kenya case study
This study describes the current context relating to access to medicines in Kenya , which currently obtains medicines from domestic and international sources. Local generic manufacturers play an important role, primarily for the public and not-for-profit sectors, but face significant hurdles.
A survey of policy and practice on the use of access to medicines-related TRIPS flexibilities in Malawi
This study describes the current context relating to access to medicines in Malawi, including sources of supply and relevant existing legislation. It outlines future access scenarios, and suggests that current political will be capitalised upon and key ministries and institutions be supported in their access to medicines-related and broader TRIPs-related initiatives.
The effect of changing intellectual property on pharmaceutical industry prospects in India and China: considerations for access to medicines
This study considers: how is the implementation of product patents in India and China affecting access to medicines; will generic copies of patented medicines have to be withdrawn from the market; will prices rise; will the domestic industry disappear; and will MNCs become more interested in working with domestic firms, including through technology transfer?
Emerging challenges and opportunities in drug registration and regulation in developing countries
This study describes current drug regulation and registration processes in selected countries in order to understand how they affect the quality and availability of medicines in developing countries, develops policy recommendations as to how systems can more efficiently allow appropriate quality drugs to market, and discusses emerging challenges and requirements posed by compulsory licensing, drugs for neglected diseases, anti-retroviral and anti-tuberculosis drugs.
Processes and issues for improving access to medicines: the evidence base for domestic production and greater access to medicines
This study extrapolates empirical cost data from African firms to consider the conditions under which a hypothetical local production facility in Africa would be feasible and profitable, while at the same time, able to promote better access to affordable, quality medicines for consumers.
Leveraging the private sector for public health objectives: a briefing paper for DFID on technology transfer in the pharmaceuticals sector
This briefing paper documents a variety of technology transfer experiences in the pharmaceutical sector and analyses the motivations behind the agreements.
Provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-limited settings: a review of experience up to August 2003
This paper aims to increase understanding of the requirements for introducing and scaling up provision of ART as part of comprehensive HIV/AIDS programmes in resource-poor countries. This review was undertaken before WHO's launch of the 3 by 5 initiative on the 1st of December 2003 .
(external link)
Equitable pricing of newer essential medicines for developing countries. Evidence for the potential for different mechanisms
This report was commissioned jointly by the WHO and DFID. It aims to analyse the existing and potential impact of a variety of equitable pricing mechanisms. The study was carried out in support of the wider process of developing feasible policy options to increase access to essential medicines.
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