Global Health Progress agrees criticizing "Big Pharma" is not the answer
- Author Mark Grayson
- Published November 20, 2010
- Word count 322
In recent commentary in the Wall Street Journal, Alec van Gelder, Project Director at the International Policy Network wrote that strong intellectual property rights are critical to strengthening Africa’s health care system. He criticized statements by the Head of the World Health Organization Essential Medicines Program, Hans Hogerzeil. Hoberzeil wrote that "Big Pharma" and intellectual property rights are preventing the world’s poorest countries from receiving access to healthcare. Contradicting these assertions, van Gelder pointed out that the region’s lack of health infrastructure and the diversion of aid money are the real culprits behind the crisis.
"Drug companies do make easy targets but that doesn't make them villains," said van Gelder, "The life-saving treatments they create remain Africa's best hope. The misguided battle against pharmaceutical companies' patent rights will only make Africa's health crisis worse."
van Gelder notes that the growing field of public-private partnerships have resulted in a twelve-fold increase in patients receiving treatment over the last decade and have created a program of voluntary patent licenses for lower-cost "generics" manufacturers. Furthermore, fewer than 5% of WHO's 423 Essential Medicines are currently protected by patents and these are mostly advanced "second-line" anti-AIDS medicines.
Global Health Progress (GHP) is actively supporting public-private partnerships to help address the need for access to medicines. Strong patent protection and intellectual property rights are critical components of these efforts to treat the public health challenges that the world’s poorest countries face. As van Gelder aptly points out, "Trampling over intellectual property rights removes drug companies' incentives to invest billions of dollars in the development of the next generation" of much-needed and sought after drugs.
Rather, GHP supports the continued development of public-private partnerships, research and development and protection for intellectual property rights. These policies ensure that developing countries continue to have drugs available at reasonable costs, that pharmaceutical companies continue to embrace innovations and that all organizations can work together to improve healthcare infrastructure worldwide.
Global Health Progress supports efforts to raise awareness and mobilize resources addressing health challenges, such as drug development and securing intellectual property rights, bringing local leaders together with international health experts, pharmaceutical industry and the private sector.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Fighting the Silent Epidemic: Safeguard Your Child's Future with Vitamin D Screening at KinderCure | Dr. Garima Mengi
- Enhancing Child Health with Mindfulness: Insights from KinderCure’s Dr. Garima Mengi
- The Best Nail Scissors for Different Needs
- Advanced Rolfing Fort Worth Dallas Is The New #1 Paradigm Pain Manager
- Advanced Rolfing Fort Worth - Endogenous Pain Management
- Advanced Rolfing Fort Worth - Treatment Six
- Advanced Rolfing Fort Worth- Treatment 5
- Post-COVID Booster Breastfeeding: Essential for Transferring Protective Antibodies to Babies, Bolstering Infant Health
- Humeral shaft fractures: Clinical picture, diagnosis, treatment.
- How Much Stress Is Too Much Stress? The Ayurvedic Perspective
- A New Era of Personalized Healthcare
- Staying Safe with Medications at Home
- Overmedicating Youth in Care: Change is Needed
- Evolution of Healing: Uncovering the Secrets of the Body from Shamanism to Modern Anatomy
- Home Health Care in North Bellmore
- Unlocking Healthier Futures: Iron Nutrition for Children at KinderCure
- The Dangers of Drug and Alcohol Detox
- Top 7 Latest List of Medical Billing Companies in the USA
- Managing Lactose Intolerance in Children: Expert Guide by KinderCure
- Research-Based Medical Thesis Are Becoming More Important in Chicago to Advance Healthcare
- Revolutionizing Medicine: Breakthroughs in Innovative Diagnostic Technologies
- Childhood Anxiety: Navigating Challenges with KinderCure's Expert Guidance
- Strengthening Your Child’s Immunity Naturally: Proven Tips from KinderCure Clinic
- Colic in Babies: Essential Guide for Parents by Experts at KinderCure
- Playtime Revolution: KinderCure's Guide to Boosting Child Development Through Play
- Colic Relief for Infants: Expert Parenting Tips from KinderCure Clinic, Gurgaon
- Combating Childhood Obesity in India: Strategies and Success Stories from KinderCure Clinic, Gurgaon
- Understanding the Importance of Early Childhood Nutrition: Insights from KinderCure
- Diaper Rash: Prevention, Treatment, and When to See a Doctor
- Chiropractic Treatment for Neck Pain and Nerve Pain Syndromes