Access to ARV treatment: aid, trade and governance in Uganda

  • Lisa Ann Richey
  • , Stine Jessen Haakonsson

Research output: Working Paper, Paper, Policy Brief, Brief, ImpactPapers and Working PapersResearch

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Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationCopenhagen
PublisherDanish Institute for International Studies
Number of pages59
ISBN (Print)8776050394
Publication statusPublished - 2004
Externally publishedYes
SeriesDIIS Working Paper
Number19
Volume2004

Bibliographical note

Abstract: Access to antiretroviral medicines (ARVs) for AIDS treatment creates a field binding local and global governance. Local modalities of AIDS treatment are governed by the context of global trade through the implementation of patents on medicines in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and within the context of global aid through development assistance. While industrialized countries, on the one hand, set aside donations to fight AIDS in developing countires, on the other hand, the same countries use the WTO to prevent developing countires from accessing cheap medicines. Uganda's success in reducing HIV prevalence is unique among African states, and it is considered the most promising candidate for effectively "scaling up" ARV treatment on the basis of its history of dealing with the pandemic. Yet, despite the many interventions addressing HIV/AIDS and dramatic price reductions of ARVs, only a minority of the infected population is currently receiving treatment, and promises of universal coverage for all who need it seem unrealisitic. Our paper examines how the disconnect between international and national priorities on the one hand, and between aid and trade on the other, are currently affecting access to ARVs in Uganda.

Keywords

  • Antiretroviral medicines
  • Patents
  • Non-tariff barriers
  • ARVs
  • Governance
  • Medicinal drugs
  • HIV-AIDS
  • WTO
  • Development aid
  • Trade
  • Developing countries
  • Uganda

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