addressing health crises in the developing world

1. Addressing Health Crises in the Developing World

3. Generic Drugs Important role in healthcare provision; Generics keep costs low with little or no R&D costs, subsidies; Generic production is insufficient; What is the link between patent production & drug access? - India, Brazil, Africa; Poverty, lack of infrastructure, political inaction, insufficient funding � Government failure blocks access

4. Research-based companies Criticism for large profits and patent system; Activists have increased price discrimination, donations, political action; What about new innovation?; Research based drug companies � innovate & donate � e.g. Botswana.

5. Future Development? How important are patents for new development?; India � 22 000 drug companies, 10 million cases of malaria, but no participation in Medicines for Malaria; Research based companies are committed to MMV; Allowing price discrimination locally & internationally ensures profits & access � e.g. South Africa; FarManguinhos seeks patents for its innovations, while breaking patents on other�s drugs; IPR essential even for developing countries.

6. The False Hope of Doha Doha Declaration � �promotes access to medicines for all�; Six months later � almost no country has used Doha Declaration; Countries choose cooperation & partnership rather than parallel importing & compulsory licenses; Doha vague on trade � US restricts free trade; Doha compromise on TRIPs does long term harm in keeping countries poor.

7. Conclusion Doubtful that Brazil model can be reproduced; Socio economic conditions different, patents don�t block access; Patents are flawed, but vital for innovation and research; Zimbabwe � how will this increase drug access?