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.

Kala azar outbreak in Ethiopia as rainy season begins

Global appeal for new treatments for neglected diseases is launched

The future of generic medicines made in India

World TB Day 2005: Development of simple and rapid diagnostic tools key for fighting tuberculosis

The beginning of the end of affordable generics

New Guatemalan law and intellectual property provisions in DR-CAFTA threaten access to affordable medicines

Global AIDS treatment efforts not on track

MSF and HIV/AIDS: Expanding treatment, facing new challenges
