Jude Thaddeus Njikem

This session focused on challenges to medicine access, particularly through the lens of intellectual property rights and included 5 abstracts. Presentations explored the effectiveness of voluntary licensing, the use of TRIPS flexibilities, and the role of national health insurance and civil society in overcoming barriers to affordable medications for treatments.

Othoman Mellouk (International Treatment Preparedness Coalition) highlighted how voluntary licensing agreements impact business practices, partnerships and access policies and the need for informed policymaking to navigate the complexities of voluntary licensing. He shared a recent study on TRIPS flexibilities in MENA revealing that legal provisions designed to help overcome patent barriers and improve access to ARV treatments are underutilized due to complex legislative frameworks and lack of awareness among stakeholders. Andre Verani of the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy in the US State Department examined the integration of HIV benefits into National Health Insurance systems in 5 PEPFAR-supported countries, with findings indicating that NHI is associated with increased awareness, access, sustainability and utilization of healthcare services. Budi Larasati of Indonesia AIDS Coalition discussed a Bedaquiline patent opposition case in Indonesia and highlighted challenges faced by CSOs in advocating for medicines access due to legal ambiguities and advocated for clearer legislation. Varsha Rivatsan of O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law highlighted how national laws influence CSOs’ ability to operate and receive funding and that countries with supportive laws for civil society fare better in achieving the HIV targets.

The discussion highlighted significant challenges in accessing HIV medicines, particularly the legal constraints faced by CSOs. Participants emphasized the need for legal reform to clarify the rights of affected individuals and organizations in advocating for healthcare access. Despite setbacks there was a strong call for perseverance and collaboration among stakeholders. The importance of community advocacy and the role of civil society in shaping health policies were underscored as essential for overcoming barriers.