E-drug: MSF officially launches access campaign
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(Press Release)
MSF Launches campaign for access to life-saving medicines
AS MILLIONS DIE OF TREATABLE DISEASES
MSF CALLS ON EU TO MAKE HEALTH A PRIORITY IN SEATTLE
Brussels, 23 November 1999 - One week before European negotiators
head to the World Trade Organisation meeting in Seattle, M�decins
Sans Fronti�res (MSF) calls on the EU to make public health a priority
in international trade rules.
Infectious diseases kill 17 million people every year, most of them in
the developing world. Many of these diseases are treatable but the
necessary drugs are either too costly or no longer produced. In
addition research for tropical diseases has nearly stopped.
The market is failing to provide life-saving affordable medicines for
people in developing countries. "We are forced to watch our patients
die because they cannot afford the treatments that could save their
lives" said Dr Bernard P�coul of MSF. "While we appreciate that
patents can be an important motor of research and development
funding, there must be a balance to ensure that people have access to
medicines."
MSF reports released today comparing prices of AZT and fluconazole
(used to treat life-threatening AIDS-related meningitis) around the
world show that it is possible to produce affordable medicines in poor
countries.
In Thailand fluconazole costs $US 0.70 per day, whereas in Kenya it
costs $US 20 per day. This is because the drug is patented in Kenya,
which means only one company has the right to produce it.
"Current trade laws have a direct impact on peoples' lives. In Thailand
patients can afford treatment, whereas in Kenya they cannot." said Dr
James Orbinski, President of MSF's International Council. To challenge
this imbalance, MSF today launched the campaign for Access to
Essential Medicines.
The MSF campaign will also focus on restarting stalled research and
development for tropical diseases.
The search for cures of diseases that affect people in poor countries
has ground to a standstill. Of 1,233 new drugs brought to market
between 1975 and 1997 only 13 were for tropical diseases. While the
highly profitable pharmaceutical industry concentrates on making
treatments for impotence and obesity, doctors treating patients with
diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and sleeping sickness, are
forced to use archaic treatments developed 30-50 years ago.
MSF is calling for direct involvement and financial support from the EU
to stimulate research and development for medicines for
communicable diseases.
"Access to medicines is a matter of life and death. The EU must take
action now to ensure that health is a priority in trade agreements and
that new treatments are developed for neglected diseases" said Dr
P�coul.
For more information call Daniel Berman, mobile: +41 79 286 9649.
MSF was awarded the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize for its work in
providing medical assistance and speaking out for populations in
danger.
Daniel Berman
MSF
daniel_berman@geneva.msf.org
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