Access to medicines
Access to medicines refers to the provision of necessary health-preserving medications to all individuals who require them. This concept is based on the universal Right to Health, as recognized by International Law since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1946[1].
According to the World Health Organization, these essential medicines should be readily available, affordable, safe, and of good quality[2].
Conflict with Intellectual Property Rights[edit | edit source]
The issue of access to medicines often intersects with intellectual property rights and free market principles. Patent protections often grant pharmaceutical companies exclusive rights to produce and distribute new drugs for a specified period, which can limit access by maintaining high prices[3].
Access to Medicines in the Developing World[edit | edit source]
In developing nations, challenges to access medicines are amplified due to economic disparities, infrastructural challenges, and weak health systems. This limited access is particularly evident in the case of high-burden diseases like HIV/AIDS, where, despite the availability of effective antiretroviral therapy, many individuals remain untreated due to barriers to access[4].
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Healthcare inequality
- Universal health coverage
- Pharmaceutical patents
- Affordable Medicines Facility-malaria
External Links[edit | edit source]
- World Health Organization - Medicines
- UNAIDS
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) - Access Campaign
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- ↑ "What are Human Rights?". United Nations Human Rights.
- ↑ "Essential Medicines". World Health Organization.
- ↑
- ↑ "Global HIV & AIDS statistics — 2020 fact sheet". World Health Organization.
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