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Press Release

19 April 2007

New solutions for more drugs in the developing world

blood samplesGareth Thomas, International Development Minister, today announced the creation of an independent advisory body to put forward new ideas and work with DFID to help get more drugs to more people at the right price in the developing world.

Speaking at an international conference on Access to Medicines, jointly hosted by the Department for International Development and external linkThe Lancet, Mr Thomas challenged the pharmaceutical industry, NGOs and governments rich and poor to overcome the old barriers and find new ways to treat the public health crises across the developing world.

Mr Thomas said:

“Two billion people do not have access to medicines that treat illness and prevent poor health and this is why more than 10 million children die every year of easily preventable diseases before they are 5 years old.

“Poor countries must be allowed to make the most of the existing patent rules to provide low cost drugs to a mass market. Big drug companies must realise that it is no longer acceptable just to protect their interests without looking at the larger picture.

“Much progress has been made, for example with the recent announcement by GlaxoSmithKline on Globorix and the recent collaboration to produce a new low-cost malaria drug. The global pharmaceutical industry is changing rapidly, and we must harness the forces of innovation and globalisation to benefit the poor.

“Finding new ways, rather than relying on the old models, is the only practical way forward to tackle the immense problems facing the developing world. Innovative approaches, such as advanced market commitments, the new, independent advisory body and ideas such as patent pooling to unblock the potential of research and new technologies need to be explored and tested as ways to improve access to medicines.”

Key international figures from the pharmaceutical industry, civil society and from the developing countries will attend the conference, the first of its kind, to debate new, innovative solutions to increase access to basic treatments for the poorest people.

The conference will debate the value of “open source” solutions, the power of Research and Development and patent pooling, it will look at the value of generic medicines, the relationship with international patent rules and challenge developing countries who are failing to invest in healthcare systems to demonstrate more commitment.

The new independent advisory group is likely to help serve as a sounding board for DFID, providing up to the minute information on new developments and identifying solutions to access to medicines issues. The group will represent a wide range of interests and lead to better working practices by helping DFID understand industry realities.

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Notes for editors

The international Access to Medicines conference: The bigger picture – life beyond TRIPS is taking place at the Royal College of Physicians on 19-20 April. Jointly hosted by DFID and The Lancet, the conference features a wide range of participants including:

  • Trevor Jones – former head of Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry on the new role for big pharma;
  • Anthony So – Duke University, on “open source” approaches to innovative solutions;
  • Dilip Shah – Indian Pharmaceutical Association, on the hope offered by generic medicines;
  • Rosette Mutambi – Director of HEPS Uganda, on why developing countries don’t invest in health systems; and
  • Sunil Shaunak – Imperial College on the place of ethical pharmaceuticals

For further information, contact Sarah Saxton on 020 7023 0944 or 020 7023 0600, e-mail pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk or call our Public Enquiries Point on 0845 300 4100.

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