The Working Group on Access to Medicines and Treatments is multidisciplinary with many groups, including the Network of HIV Positive People, TB Patient’s Group, Diabetes Patient’s Group and People with Muscular Dystrophy. The Working Group and Third World Network (TWN) organised the Annual CSO Strategy Meeting on Access to Medicines and Treatments at the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID), New Delhi. The meeting facilitated exchange of ideas and views among diverse groups and people representing various organisations and networks.
In the technical sessions, delegates discussed and examinied the Patent Regime and the Key Challenges and Impact on Access to Medicines; Challenges in the Access to Medicines and Treatments for Rare Diseases; Cystic Fibrosis; Access to health and medicines in fragile/conflict areas; Strengthening Industrial Policy for Self-Reliant Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Improved Access to Medicines. Delegates pointed out that stockouts of medicines is a violation of Articles 19 and 21 of the Indian Constitution. The big pharma companies are supplying very well globally, but there is short supply in the villages. They shared that blacklisted companies in one programme are still supplying in another programme. Participants emphasised on the urgent need to focus enough on the importance of access to medicines and treatment.
The two-day CSO Strategy Meeting concluded with the discussion on strategising for the People’s Convention and Building a Roadmap for Action.
