[cross-posted with approval of Jaume from the HAI network; Congrats to the main authors: paloma fernández cano paloma.fercan@outlook.com Alicia del Llano alicia.del.llano@fgcasal.org ; Juan del LLano juan.delllano@fgcasal.org ; Jaime Espin jaime.net2010@gmail.com
Discussion Welcome in E-Drug! WB]
Dear members,
It is with great pleasure that I share a paper just published in the Health Economics and Policy Law. It is an homage to Dr. Joan Rovira, a health economist who passed away last year, and to whom all the authors feel in a way indebted. Joan was a pioneer not only on health economics studies but also and most specially on the economic underlyings of access to medicines, from intellectual property protection frameworks (ie in trade agreements such as CAFTA-DOR) to pricing system and reimbursements mechanisms. Joan worked with a number of international organisations and agencies as well as CSOs but had always time to mentor, teach and share his knowledge and expertise with students, young researchers and public officials. If there is an evidence-based access to medicines movement today is in great part thanks to people like Joan who not only opened the way but showed the need to push forward. May his memory be an inspiration for us all.
I hope you find it useful
Jaume
Abstract
A substantial share of the global population continues to face barriers to accessing essential medicines. While the pharmaceutical industry’s business model has successfully facilitated the development of innovative medications, efforts to promote universal access to medicines (UAM) remain ineffective. This paper critically assesses the existing barriers to global access to medicines, including the role of unsuitable governance, the protection of intellectual property rights, and other market barriers such as shortages, quality shortcomings, and high prices. Furthermore, we explore a number of promising potential strategies that can help towards achieving the UAM. Specifically, we evaluate the evidence from various initiatives, including alternative models of innovation, manufacturing, procurement, intellectual property management, and structural/organisational operations. We argue that the effective realisation of UAM requires a robust framework to implement these initiatives. This framework must strike a delicate balance between addressing public health needs, incentivising research and development, and ensuring affordability. Achieving such a balance encompasses a careful oversight and collaboration between national and international regulatory bodies.
|
|
JAUME VIDAL (HE/HIM) |
|
Senior Policy Advisor |
|
|
Health Action International Working days: Monday to Friday |
|
|
M/WA: +31 (0) 628 318 884| jaume@haiweb.org |
|
|
Overtoom 60 (2) | 1054 HK Amsterdam | The Netherlands |
|
|
|
