For-profit policies and equitable access to antiretroviral drugs in resource-limited countries

Unaffordable prices continue to obstruct access to antiretroviral drugs in income-constrained countries. This article explores the fitness of a multi-pronged, incentive-bound, WHO-mediated voluntary license strategy for attuning research, innovation, profit and equitable access to antiretrovirals in under-served markets. The potential of the model was investigated by examining: the predictable effect on current regulatory practices (trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights [TRIPS] and TRIPS-plus measures); the expected benefits, either in terms of equity or safeguarding of the generic and brand name manufacturer’s interests; the interplay dynamics with drug trading policies of deeply concerned countries (China, India, countries in the EU, USA, Brazil, South Africa and Thailand); and the suitability for helping plants for generic antiretrovirals, including home plants in Sub-Saharan Africa, undertake research and development partnerships encompassing innovation, technological catch-up, exploit...