Question

Film: Fire in the Blood
Reflect on how patent laws have hurt fight against HIV/AIDS and how you thing they should be changed

Answer 1

All patents should be removed from anti-retroviral drugs in order to fight AIDS.

AIDS is an incurable disease which results from infection with the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) are the only way to extend the lives of people infected by HIV. Without treatment most HIV/AIDS patients would die quickly, but treatment with ARVs can double their life expectancy, and also improve the quality of their lives.

The patents on ARVs limit the freedom to manufacture these life-saving drugs and also hike the cost of treatment, thereby barring most patients from obtaining such treatment. Therefore, it is clear that the removal of patents on ARVs would remove two significant obstacles in the fight against AIDS are :-

1. Physical barrier to the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients

Removal of Physical Barriers to the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients

The patents on ARV drugs limit the manufacture of these drugs to a few companies and in some cases to certain countries. Consequently ARVS are not readily available to HIV/AID patients across the world.

The removal of patents on ARVS would allow more companies and governments in affected countries to freely manufacture ARVS for the treatment of their citizens. Consequently, this would facilitate worldwide distribution of ARVS, and facilitate a ready supply of anti-retroviral drugs in all regions of the world.

2. Economic barriers to the treatment of HIV /AIDS patients

Removal of Economic Barriers to the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients

In so far as patents limit the availability of ARVS across the world, they create an artificial shortage which hikes ARV drug prices in all countries. In addition, in countries where ARVS are not manufactured, the cost of treatment is further hiked by drug importation costs, such as transport charges, freight costs, insurance, port duties, etc. As a result, ARV treatment is simply too expensive for most HIV/AIDS patients.

The removal of patents on ARVS would not only prevent artificial shortages, it would also increase price competition and lower ARV drug prices to reasonable amounts. Lower treatment costs would lead to increased access to ARV treatment for all patients, irrespective of their personal wealth.

Treatment to the patients with HIV is very essential and for this patents needs to be placed on the ARV medications so ,I don't thing there should be no any changes to be made .