AP Top NewsGeneral NewsHealthHIV and AIDSMedicationSouth AfricaTuberculosis South Africa, Colombia and others are fighting drugmakers over access to TB and HIV drugs by Sophia Chen November 24, 2023 written by Sophia Chen November 24, 2023 0 comments Bookmark 48 South Africa, Colombia, and other nations that faced challenges in securing COVID-19 vaccines are now adopting a more assertive stance in dealing with pharmaceutical companies. They are pushing back against policies that restrict access to affordable treatments for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV, a move that experts believe could lead to increased efforts to make life-saving medications more widely accessible. This shift in approach comes after the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the stark disparity in vaccine distribution, with wealthy nations securing the majority of vaccines while leaving limited access for poorer countries. Now, these less affluent nations are seeking to become more self-reliant in ensuring access to essential medicines. One specific target of this effort is the drug bedaquiline, which is crucial for treating drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis, particularly in South Africa, where TB remains a leading cause of death. Activists have been protesting against Johnson & Johnson’s attempts to protect its patent on this drug. After petitions and pressure from TB patients and governments like India, Belarus, and Ukraine, J&J eventually agreed to drop its patent in more than 130 countries, allowing generic manufacturers to produce the drug. Colombia has also taken a bold step by declaring a compulsory license for the HIV drug dolutegravir, bypassing the patent holder, Viiv Healthcare. This decision was influenced by over 120 advocacy groups urging the Colombian government to expand access to this World Health Organization-recommended drug. However, while these actions represent progress, experts emphasize that much more needs to be done to enable poorer countries to manufacture their own medicines and vaccines. Inadequate health systems and intellectual property laws that favor pharmaceutical companies remain significant challenges. South Africa, for example, lacks clear laws allowing legal challenges to patents or patent extensions, making it easier for companies to maintain monopolies. While progress is being made, experts believe that pharmaceutical companies may be driven more by financial considerations than activism when it comes to dropping certain patents. The World Health Organization’s recent report on TB underscores the urgency of addressing these issues, with over 10 million people falling ill with TB in the past year and 1.3 million deaths. TB has become the deadliest infectious disease globally, and it is now the leading cause of death among people with HIV. Advocates like South African doctor Zolelwa Sifumba emphasize the importance of ensuring that essential medicines like bedaquiline are affordable for lower and middle-income countries. The burden of diseases like TB falls heavily on these nations, highlighting the necessity of equitable access to life-saving treatments. In summary, South Africa, Colombia, and other countries are challenging pharmaceutical companies to ensure wider access to essential medicines. While progress is being made, there are still significant obstacles to overcome in achieving equitable access to treatments and vaccines for all. Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Access to MedicationsWhat is the main issue discussed in the text?Why is access to TB and HIV drugs a significant concern?What actions have South Africa and Colombia taken to address this issue?How did the COVID-19 pandemic influence this shift in approach?What challenges still exist in ensuring equitable access to medicines?Why is it crucial to address these issues?More about Access to Medications Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Access to Medications What is the main issue discussed in the text? The main issue discussed in the text is the push by countries, including South Africa and Colombia, for affordable access to tuberculosis (TB) and HIV drugs, challenging pharmaceutical companies’ patent protections. Why is access to TB and HIV drugs a significant concern? Access to TB and HIV drugs is a significant concern because these diseases have a severe impact on public health, especially in lower and middle-income countries. Limited access to these medications can result in higher mortality rates and hinder efforts to control these diseases. What actions have South Africa and Colombia taken to address this issue? South Africa and Colombia have taken assertive steps to address this issue. South Africa initiated investigations into pharmaceutical pricing policies and pressured Johnson & Johnson to drop its patent on the TB drug bedaquiline. Colombia declared a compulsory license for the HIV drug dolutegravir to expand access. How did the COVID-19 pandemic influence this shift in approach? The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the unequal distribution of vaccines, with wealthier nations securing most of the supply. This inequity prompted poorer countries to become more self-reliant in securing essential medicines, realizing they can’t solely depend on others. What challenges still exist in ensuring equitable access to medicines? Several challenges persist, including the need for stronger health systems in poorer countries and the presence of intellectual property laws that favor pharmaceutical companies. South Africa’s lack of clear laws for challenging patents is an example of such obstacles. Why is it crucial to address these issues? Addressing these issues is crucial because diseases like TB and HIV have a significant global impact, and equitable access to medications is essential to saving lives. The burden of these diseases falls disproportionately on lower and middle-income countries, making affordability and accessibility paramount. More about Access to Medications Access to Medications for TB and HIV: The source text for this discussion on pharmaceutical companies and access to TB and HIV drugs. World Health Organization (WHO): WHO’s involvement and recommendations regarding the access to essential medicines and global health issues. Doctors Without Borders: Insights from this organization on healthcare challenges, including access to medicines in developing countries. Northeastern University: Expert opinion from Brook Baker on treatment-access issues. Public Citizen: Information on advocacy efforts, including the declaration of a compulsory license for the HIV drug dolutegravir in Colombia. University of KwaZulu-Natal: Insights from Andy Gray regarding pharmaceutical companies’ decisions related to patents and drug pricing. 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