E-DRUG: new UK govt policy on access to essential medicines
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[The UK government has published a new policy paper on how it wants to increase access to essential medicines in the developing world. The paper is supported by inter alia DFID, the Dept of Health, Dept of Trade and Industry and the Patent Office.
The full text is downloadable from http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Pubs/files/accessmedicines.pdf
Below a copy of the executive summary, which is more a guide to the reader. The full report is however recommended!
For further information about the UK Government�s policy and activities in the areas
outlined in this paper, please consult the following:
� The PIU study �Tackling the diseases of poverty� can be found at
http://www.number-10.gov.uk/su/health/default.htm
� The DFID website http://www.dfid.gov.uk includes a range of information and resources
on access to medicines issues, health and HIV/AIDS. The report of the high level UK
Working Group on Increasing Access to Essential Medicines in the Developing World
can be found on the DFID website
� The DH website http://www.doh.gov.uk holds information on pharmaceuticals and
on research and development investments
� The Patent Office website gives more information on TRIPS and public health:
http://www.patent.gov.uk/about/ippd/issues/trips.htm
� Further information on the R&D tax credits and Vaccines Research Relief can be
found at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/randd
� Further information on the International Finance Facility can be found at
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/IFF
DFID would also welcome comments on this paper and views on the various issues raised in it
� please send these to atm@dfid.gov.uk
WB]
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Executive summary
1.1 The lack of access to essential medicines in developing countries is one of the most
pressing global health issues. Tackling this could save millions of lives every year. Yet
major inequities remain, with a limited supply of affordable medicines and inadequate
health systems to deliver them in many developing countries, and a continuing
shortage of new products to meet developing country health needs.
1.2 The UK Government accords high priority to addressing this issue. It is an important
part of our work � internationally and with our partners in developing countries �
to tackle key diseases, strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes,
particularly amongst the poorest and most vulnerable populations. That is why the
Prime Minister established the high level UK Working Group on Increasing Access
to Essential Medicines in the Developing World in 2001. It is also why we have
strengthened policy and action across the UK Government to address this
important issue.
1.3 This paper sets out the UK Government�s assessment of the key challenges that must
be addressed if we are to increase access to medicines in the developing world. It aims
to communicate clearly both this assessment, and our own plans, to interested parties.
It will also serve to co-ordinate activity across relevant government departments.
1.4 Section 2 of the paper sets out the scale of the problem. It sets out the relationship
between poverty and health, and the role of essential medicines in addressing ill
health in the developing world, with reference to relevant international goals and
targets. It also summarises the roles of key UK Government departments that have
joined together to tackle the agenda. Section 3 then outlines in more detail the issues
that developing countries and their partners must address in order to increase access
to essential medicines, drawing on the WHO Access Framework. It also addresses the
current imbalances in the global pharmaceutical market.
1.5 In Section 4, we outline recent progress � in the UK, internationally, and by developing
countries. The focus is on health policy and systems, but important progress has also
been made in trade negotiations and by the private sector. Here, and in Annex 2 of
the paper, the recommendations of the UK Working Group are outlined and progress
reported against them. This demonstrates that there has been good progress �
in the UK, EU, G8,World Trade Organisation and elsewhere � but that there remains
much to do.
1.6 With this in mind, Section 5 of the paper outlines the UK Government�s key objectives
and plans for the coming months and years. Our proposed activities cover four areas:
� Support to developing countries through the UK development assistance
programme, where we are strengthening our efforts to address the access to
medicines agenda, including through our work to increase poor people�s access
to health services.
� Trade policy, where the top priority is to support developing countries in
understanding and making use of the flexibilities within World Trade
Organisation rules governing intellectual property.
� Our engagement with the business community, where we plan to work with
the pharmaceutical industry to ensure the longer term supply of affordable
medicines to developing countries and to stimulate �best practice� by companies
as they engage in developing country markets.
� Our efforts � and those of the broader international community � to stimulate
increased research and development into new medicines and other healthcare
products relevant to developing country health needs, where we plan a broad
programme of activity.
1.7 This paper aims to send a clear message to developing country governments,
international agencies and donors, civil society, the pharmaceutical industry, the
broader private sector and the research community that the UK Government is
committed to working in partnership to address the lack of access to essential
medicines in the developing world. The paper also sets out an ambitious programme
of action for the UK Government and others. Related areas of UK Government policy
and action are covered elsewhere; this paper should therefore be read alongside
these documents, such as the forthcoming UK Government strategy on HIV and AIDS
and the associated policy on treatment and care.
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