Investing in Sustainable and Universal Access to Medicines

Developing domestic pharmaceutical production capabilities is increasingly seen as a priority for many developing countries. Governments have adopted various strategies to develop their local pharmaceutical production capacities. This session examined three modes of investment in these pharmaceutical companies: namely, the state-owned enterprise, companies with joint-public and private ownership, and completely privately owned companies, and examined their respective strengths and weaknesses in meeting important public health objectives such as access to medicines.

Elements for the debate

• What are the dynamics of providing access to medicines in developing countries?
• Is there scope for public endeavour to facilitate access to medicines, particularly to marginalized sections of the population?
• How can publicly-owned pharmaceutical firms be turned into full-fledged competitors to private sector firms?
• What means, other than private equity, exist to encourage private pharmaceutical firms to take on board public health concerns?