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Letter to the editor: Affordable medicines

IPN Opinion article

November 18, 2002
The issue of drug patents is a red-herring and is being used as a crowd pleaser by WTO delegates, while the US and EU drag their feet in reducing trade restrictions and agricultural subsidies ñ moves that could actually increase wealth and allow for long-term health improvements.
Free the industry, not the drugs

IPN Opinion article

November 7, 2002
If chanting slogans and booing speakers could magically create new innovative drugs, this week\'s Barcelona AIDS Conference could be considered a raging success. Activists have certainly put their moral righteousness on display as they pour abuse on pharmaceutical companies. On Tuesday they prevented a U.S. cabinet member from speaking. The U.N. organizers of the conference have smiled benignly on it all. But despite the posturing, the idea that giving greater powers to government at the expense of the private drug companies will lead to more sustainable drug delivery is deeply flawed. [Non-subscriber link]
Medicamentos genÈricos y el sida

IPN Opinion article

November 3, 2002
El fuerte respaldo de MÈdicos Sin Fronteras (MSF) y de otras organizaciones a la importaciÛn desde AmÈrica Latina de copias genÈricas ilegales de medicinas contra el sida est· siendo aplaudido por analistas desde Chile hasta la India. Pero mientras unos pocos con suerte van a ser beneficiados con ello, se pone en peligro la salud de muchos m·s en el futuro, en la medida que los laboratorios farmacÈuticos reduzcan sus investigaciones sobre las enfermedades m·s comunes en los pa'ses pobres.
Slowing birth of AIDS drug

IPN Opinion article

October 24, 2002
AT THE WORLD Summit on Sustainable Development, in September, Peter Piot, head of UNAIDS, told delegates he was upset that AIDS discussions were not more prominent on the summit agenda. He will be even more upset when he learns of the latest data to come out concerning AIDS research: There are between 5 percent and 30 percent fewer anti-AIDS drugs in development than there were a few years ago.
Genomics and public health in Africa

IPN Opinion article

October 3, 2002
It is urgent that Africa builds its technological capacity to improve both it's know how and know why in genetic related science. An approach similar to that taken by China may be of great help, that is, linking foreign investment to technological and human capacity building. This is a situation where Africa governments can encourage developed countries to invest in their countries on condition that the investors help build research facilities and training locally.
AIDS activists hinder their cause

IPN Opinion article

September 17, 2002
Two weeks ago at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the head of UNAIDS, Peter Piot, told delegates that he was upset that AIDS discussions were not higher up the agenda of the summit. He will be even more upset when he sees the latest data to come out about AIDS research. There are between 5 percent and 30% fewer anti-AIDS drugs in development than there were a few years ago.
NGOs play big role in AIDS plans

IPN Opinion article

August 30, 2002
The head of UNAIDS, Peter Piot, is angry the discussion of the AIDS pandemic is so low on the agenda of the World Summit for Sustainable Development and that African ministers are so lukewarm to the issue. He was expected to tell WSSD delegates Friday night he is annoyed by the lack of government action on controlling acquired immune deficiency syndrome on the African continent.
Heated debate over GM food at Summit

IPN Opinion article

August 29, 2002
Though 14 million people face starvation in southern Africa, the controversy over genetically modified seed loomed Wednesday at the Johannesburg summit on sustainable development. In an increasingly vitriolic debate, GM critics argue that it is not an unacceptable solution, and supporters hail it as the answer to Africa's number one problem.
Economic empowerment is key to fighting HIV/Aids in Africa

IPN Opinion article

July 30, 2002
Poverty is making the African people come up with strategies that may scare inventors and innovators. Simply lobbying for cheap drugs may not help. A counter lobby may exist that may link the quest for cheap drugs to foreign aid. What then is the solution to the threat of Africa becoming a continent of orphans? It is urgent that the issue of economic empowerment in Africa through trade, good governance and rule of law be addressed. To fight Aids, empower the Africans economically.
Weapon against malaria is ignored

IPN Opinion article

July 11, 2002
South Africa recently controlled a malaria epidemic by spraying the DDT insecticide on the insides of houses, where the Anopheles mosquitoes rest. This led to an 80 per cent decline in malaria cases in a year. Unfortunately, donor agencies are loath to fund the use of DDT and are generally reluctant to support insecticide use (except in bed nets) because of pressure from environmentalists within their organisations and at home. It is an outrage that the most cost-effective method of controlling malaria and saving lives is being sidelined because it is deemed \"unsustainable\". No one is arguing that insecticide should be the only weapon, but many of the supposedly more environmentally friendly alternatives only sustain poverty, death and illness in malarial countries.