UN talks on R&D system 'leave the greater part of the job undone'

: (c) TaunusGrafik

‘Concrete proposals to ensure urgently needed drugs and diagnostics are developed for developing country diseases have not received support. Considering the colossal needs we see in MSF daily practice, this is a lost opportunity,’ said Dr. Tido von Schoen-Angerer, Director of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)’s Access Campaign at the close of UN health R&D summit.

Read the full Statement

Read MSF's statement to the IGWG this week

Read MSF's press release (Monday 28th April)

Click here to find out more about the medical challenges we face without access to adequate treatments for our patients

Introduction to Access and Patents

: © Francesco Zizola/Noor

MSF and Patents

Patents and Access

Patents and Innovation

Overcoming Patent barriers

What is TRIPS ?

Milestones in access to treatment

What needs to happen

High cost of drugs condemns patients to blindness

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. Read more

Read the Campaign's Dr Alexanda Calmy on how AIDS is a neglected disease

What is IGWG and how can it help?

: © Francesco Zizola/Noor

The Intergovernmental Working Group Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property(IGWG) was set up in 2006 by member countries of the World Health Organisation. Its mandate is to draft a plan of action so that, among other things, access to medicines is not impeded by intellectual property law. Read more

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