AIDS Drugs in Africa: Glaxo's Term Paper

Total Length: 891 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

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-- but Glaxo contends that Cipla violates the companies' patents and international intellectual- property agreements"(Boseley, 2002). In moral defense of its actions, Glaxo's CEO, told shareholders "Some people might see patents as the obstacle to getting medicines to patients in poorer countries. Nothing could be further from the truth....Even in countries where low cost generics are available millions of people are dying every year because they cannot obtain low cost generic treatments for malaria, TB and other common diseases. We should also remember that 95% of the medicines on WHO's Essential Drugs List are not covered by patent protection anywhere in the world, let alone in developing countries, many of which have no effective intellectual property laws" (Samson, 2001).

Still, a recent scandal revealing that "nearly $18 million worth of reduced-price HIV drugs intended for impoverished Africans have been intercepted by profiteers and shipped back to Europe to be sold at marked-up prices, according to a current investigation," which meant "nearly a quarter of the supply of the antiretroviral drug Combivir intended for African HIV / AIDS patients has not reached them in the last year" has not helped boost Glaxo's credibility or image ("HIV Drugs for Africa Diverted to Europe, 2002, CDC). Moreover, despite Glaxo's anxiety at setting a bad precedent, the target market can hardly exercise much choice in the matter -- if they cannot afford the drugs they will die. Health care advocates in Africa contend that "Poor countries should be guaranteed the right to make their own generic drugs and import them from elsewhere" (Boseley, 2002).
If Glaxo does not cut its prices and wins the legal patent war, it is hard to see how the innovative medication it has derived will benefit anyone, even Glaxo.

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"AIDS Drugs In Africa Glaxo's", 20 January 2007, Accessed.7 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/aids-drugs-africa-glaxo-40507