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Treating multi drug resistant TB and HIV/AIDS in Manipur, India

Access to medicines

Unaffordable, unavailable, not adapted - people around the world face these challenges in accessing lifesaving medicines.

During the 1990s, MSF teams made a bitter observation: we were failing to treat some of our patients suffering from infectious diseases, while in developed countries, remarkable progress was being made in the field of health. Two decades on, medicines in developing countries are still either too expensive, aren't suitable to be used in many of the contexts in which we work (for example, in hot, humid conditions or where there's a lack of electricity), or simply don't exist for the diseases we need to treat.

In 1999, we launched the Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines, now known as the Access Campaign. Its mission focuses on three areas: overcoming barriers to access to essential medicines, stimulating research and development for neglected diseases, promoting health exceptions to global trade agreements.

In 2003, MSF joined several research institutes, including the Institut Pasteur, to create the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), a non-profit research and development organisation engaged in research and development of new treatments for neglected diseases.

 
Website

MSF Access Campaign

msfaccess.org
 
HIV/AIDS

As HIV burden overwhelmingly shifts to ‘middle-income’ countries, access to affordable medicines is under threat

Press Release 22 Jul 2015
 
Belgium

Countries, beware: Climbing up the income ladder can seriously damage your health!

Voices from the Field 13 Jul 2015
 
Who do we turn to (13)
Photo Story

Gallery: Financing for Development Conference

10 Jul 2015
Photo Story
 
Cholera vaccination at Nyaragusu refugee camp in Tanzania
Tanzania

Services in Nyarugusu refugee camp ‘stretched beyond their limits’

Voices from the Field 8 Jul 2015
 
My Life With HIV: Carmen slideshow pictures
Access to medicines

Why MSF needs India to remain open for business

Report 1 Jul 2015
 
The Stop Stocks Outs Project South Africa April 2015
South Africa

Drug shortages threaten progress made in the world’s largest HIV programme

Press Release 11 Jun 2015
 
The Stop Stocks Outs Project South Africa April 2015
South Africa

Drug shortages - testimonies from patients and medical staff

Voices from the Field 11 Jun 2015
 
India

Access Campaign: MSF launches global campaign urging India to protect access to affordable medicines

Campaign 11 Jun 2015
 
Access to medicines

Governments take decisive step towards more affordable vaccines

Press Release 25 May 2015
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30 August 2019