logo
Science Portal
Copyright © Médecins Sans Frontières
v2.1.5153.produseast1
About MSF Science Portal
About
Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Copyright © Médecins Sans Frontières
v2.1.5153.produseast1
Overcoming obstacles to enable access to medicines for noncommunicable diseases In poor countries | Journal Article / Commentary | MSF Science Portal
Journal Article
|Commentary

Overcoming obstacles to enable access to medicines for noncommunicable diseases In poor countries

Kishore SP, Kolappa K, Jarvis JN, Park PH, Belt R, Balasubramaniam T, Kiddell-Monroe R

Similar Content
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Abstract
The modern access-to-medicines movement grew largely out of the civil-society reaction to the HIV/AIDS pandemic three decades ago. While the movement was successful with regard to HIV/AIDS medications, the increasingly urgent challenge to address access to medicines for noncommunicable diseases has lagged behind-and, in some cases, has been forgotten. In this article we first ask what causes the access gap with respect to lifesaving essential noncommunicable disease medicines and then what can be done to close the gap. Using the example of the push for access to antiretrovirals for HIV/AIDS patients for comparison, we highlight the problems of inadequate global financing and procurement for noncommunicable disease medications, intellectual property barriers and concerns raised by the pharmaceutical industry, and challenges to building stronger civil-society organizations and a patient and humanitarian response from the bottom up to demand treatment. We provide targeted policy recommendations, specific to the public sector, the private sector, and civil society, with the goal of improving access to noncommunicable disease medications globally.

Countries

none

Subject Area

non-communicable diseaseaccess to health care

Languages

English
DOI
10.1377/hlthaff.2015.0375
Published Date
01 Sep 2015
PubMed ID
26355060
Journal
Health Affairs
Volume | Issue | Pages
Volume 34, Issue 9, Pages 1569-1577
Issue Date
2015-09-01
Dimensions Badge