Roche Is faulted for high cost of AIDS drug in poor countries

MSF released pricing information to support its argument, as well as data that it said show the Swiss drug maker could easily cut prices further and still make a profit. Project Update - 15 Nov 2002

Access to medicines

Sydney Summit a step back for access to medicines, but it is not the end of the story

If the proposal by trade ministers at the WTO meeting in Sydney is accepted by the wider WTO membership, an insurmountable barrier to getting cheaper medicines will be replaced by numerous lower ones.

A joint press release by Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières. Press Release - 15 Nov 2002

HIV/AIDS

Equitable access: Scaling up HIV/AIDS treatment in developing countries

Report - 15 Nov 2002

Access to medicines

Expect progress to be tough at WTO summit on drugs

Both the EU and the U.S., the world's two major drug producers, have offered drug-patent proposals that are far more restrictive than those favored by developing countries and many nongovernmental organizations. Developing countries want access to a wider range of drugs, while a large coalition of NGOs is pushing to allow any poorer country to contract for delivery of patented medicines from whomever it chooses.

This article first appeared in the THE WALL STREET JOURNAL Project Update - 14 Nov 2002

United States of America

Drugs for the poor

The Bush administration is resisting the lobbyists' extremism, but it still listens to the industry more than it should. The US president's trade representative, Robert Zoellick, needs to soften the US positions at today's WTO meeting. From a policy point of view, there is no good argument for allowing patents to restrict access to medicine in poor countries and those just climbing out of poverty. Project Update - 14 Nov 2002

Humanitarian challenges

Ministers put lives at stake in trade-off

MSF calls for Sydney trade ministers' meeting to ensure access to affordable generic medicines. Press Release - 13 Nov 2002

Angola

While malnutrition rates decline in Angola, conditions remain severe

Conditions are stabilising in Angola where MSF has been working at a malnutrition crisis, present throughout the country, for the past seven months. However the emergency remains and with the rainy season about to start - bringing inevitable disruptions to food distribution - MSF activity remains high. In addition, preventing measles outbreaks remains a key concern. Project Update - 13 Nov 2002

Honduras

Inroads into care for neglected diseases in Honduras but many still without treatment

On November 11-12, MSF brought together key Honduran actors to improve access to medicines for the population. Project Update - 13 Nov 2002

Sudan

Deadly kala azar threatens thousands in exhausted southern Sudan

"The state of these patients is appalling. They are being carried on stretchers for days to make it to the clinic. They look pale and thin and are extremely anaemic," said Dr. José-Antonio Bastos, an MSF Operational Director. Press Release - 8 Nov 2002

Meningitis

Ten million Euros needed now to prepare for deadly new strain of meningitis in Africa

IFRC, MSF, UNICEF and WHO have launched an Emergency Appeal to fund a stock of vaccine, drugs and supplies to prevent thousands of unnecessary deaths from the disease in the African meningitis belt. Press Release - 5 Nov 2002

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Independent medical humanitarian assistance

We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. Our teams are made up of tens of thousands of health professionals, logistic and administrative staff - most of them hired locally. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence and impartiality. We are a non-profit, self-governed, member-based organisation.

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