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.
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The naked truth
![Seeking malaria treatment around Aweil, South Sudan Seeking malaria treatment around Aweil, South Sudan](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/0/8/d/b/MSF154672.jpg)
MSF urges governments to set medical research policies that align with people’s health needs
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Malnutrition is the biggest problem in Bama
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Malaria caused by the falciparum parasite spreading throughout country
![MSF Activities in Ukraine MSF Activities in Ukraine](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/7/9/1/d/MSF171742.jpg)
MSF concludes medical humanitarian activities in Bakhmut
![Aleppo city Aleppo city](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/rlecfiyg11ky4mc3230jgjm67180lfu5.jpg)
Trapped, under attack and struggling to survive in Aleppo
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MSF calls for affordable pneumonia vaccines ahead of Pfizer’s patent hearing in India
![Dialysis center in Al-Jumhori hospital in Sana’a, Yemen Dialysis center in Al-Jumhori hospital in Sana’a, Yemen](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/3vv4jug10sf2jm1751m1e0gl7q821101.jpg)
Dialysis treatment at breaking point
![MSF HIV Clinics in Kinshasa, DRC MSF HIV Clinics in Kinshasa, DRC](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/v7awmv61i613cda4v7l5lj8n01t5q54m.jpg)