Latest News

The U.S. FDA Priority Review Voucher Read more

Counterfeit, Substandard and Generic Drugs: Distinct Definitions for Distinctly Different Problems Read more

Valganciclovir Patent Set Aside in India read MSF's statement

MSF hosts malnutrition symposium in NY Read more







Access & Patents

" More straightjacket than incentive " The so-called August 30th Decision was tacked on to the TRIPS agreement with the intent of expanding access to affordable medicines through the use of compulsory licensing. Five years on, it's still hasn't delivered effectively Read more


© Sebastien Rich

Counterfeit, substandard and generic drugs: distinct definitions for distinctly different problems.

People often seem to confuse counterfeit, substandard and generic medicines – using the terms interchangeably. Ellen ‘t Hoen, Policy Advocacy Director of MSF’s Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines, explains here how the repercussions of confusing counterfeit, substandard and generic drugs can be very negative indeed…read more


© Ann

Taking the Plunge: MSF welcomes UNITAID's decision to give the go-ahead for the creation of a 'patent pool'  This innovative mechanism could help the development of much needed new medicines at affordable prices 

Read MSF's statement

Find out more about UNITAID and patent pools

Read the UNITAID resolution

 

Will the AMC be too expensive? Donors are in the process of finalising the terms of the deal for the pilot Advanced Market Commitment for the pneumococcal vaccine.

Read more about the AMC

 


©Yasuhiro Kunimori


© Sheila Shettle

Patent battles in India

Pressure on patents is hotting up as one ARV patent is rejected in India and two more oppositions to AIDS medicines patents are filed by civil society groups.  

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A major step forward

WHO agrees on a plan aimed at transforming the medical R&D system and enhancing access to medicines for patients in developing countries.

Read MSF statement 

 


©TaunusGrafik

 

High cost of drugs condemns patients to blindness


© Joanne Wong


Affordable treatment for CMV retinitis exists, but involves injecting patients directly into the eyes.  Better treatments are too expensive – US$10,000 per patient course – and Roche’s offer for lower prices come with too many strings attached.

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Milestones in Access to Treatment



The Access Campaign was set up in 1999 to work for wider access to essential medicines. Click here to read about the main challenges and successes along the way

 

The Novartis Case


© MSF


Keeping the door open for generic products: In 2006 the Campaign launched a successful campaign to get Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis to drop its legal case aimed at strengthening patents in India. Read more