The Thai military government has recently decided to expropriate the patents of a series of drugs. Although these 'compulsory licenses' have been applauded by populist NGOs, this development poses a very grave risk to patient safety.
Activists claim that a case at India's high court could spell the end of cheap medicines for the poor. The reality is far different: a victory for the government would undermine health and the economy.
After years of obstructionism and millions of avoidable deaths from malaria, international organisations have finally accepted DDT, the quick, cheap and safe solution. But Africans still face a battle with activists opposing this demonised pesticide.
Britain's NHS has tested to destruction the notion that centrally-provided, taxpayer-financed healthcare is the most equitable and efficient. So why is the British government not questioning the model?
Millions of cancer and cardiovascular deaths could be cheaply averted in poorer countries, but it seems sometimes that HIV/AIDS is the only thing on the radarscreen of politicians and journalists.
Certain NGOs claim that intellectual property is the root cause of the health crises faced by many poor countries. This is entirely bogus and is diverting attention from more important issues.
