Experts discuss affordable medicine

Access to drugs is becoming a key development issue

By Claire Doole in Geneva

Health and trade experts from around the world are meeting in Norway to discuss how to improve poor countries' access to essential drugs.

At a three-day meeting in Norway held by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Sunday, delegates will discuss pricing and financing of cheaper medicines.

Most people in the developing world cannot afford expensive drugs

They will also examine how to prevent low-price drugs from being re-exported from poor countries to rich ones, in a meeting designed primarily as a brainstorming session, where no decisions will be made.

This is the first time that health and trade officials have held talks on what is fast becoming a key development issue.

Low prices

Stung into action by public criticism, some pharmaceutical companies are offering discounted Aids drugs to Africa.

Industry has stepped in where public authorities have failed and have tried to provide donations and reduce prices

Industry spokesman Harvey Bale

However, the conference in Norway wants to examine whether all essential drugs should be offered at lower prices in poorer countries.

WHO expert Dr Jonathan Quick said the meeting would look at whether such a system could bring all-round benefits.

"Many people think that differential pricing can be beneficial to the consumer in the poorer country, but not be harmful - and may even be beneficial - to the consumer in the rich country," he said.

Dr Quick said incentives for research and development could still be maintained.

Competitiveness

But for the pharmaceutical industry, whose representatives are also attending the meeting, differential pricing can only work if companies are allowed to remain competitive and are not subject to rigid and systematic rules. It is pushing for greater emphasis on the financing of drugs.

Harvey Bale, head of the Geneva-based International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations, said it was now up to governments to improve funding for health services to ensure the drugs got to those most in need.

"Industry has stepped in where public authorities have failed and have tried to provide donations and reduce prices where funding is not available or is not sufficient, trying to get donors to come forward and put more money on the table," he said.