Policy Innovations The central address for a fairer globalization

A publication of the Carnegie Council

Intellectual Property Rights and Access to Essential Medicines

By Thomas W. Pogge

October 5, 2007

From the Introduction: This essay sketches a concrete, feasible, and politically realistic plan for reforming current national and global rules so as to give the pharmaceutical industry stable and reliable financial incentives to address the severe health problems of the poor worldwide. If adopted, this plan would not add much to the overall cost of global health-care spending. In fact, on a full accounting, which would take note of the huge economic losses caused by the present global burden of disease, the reform would actually save money. Moreover, it would distribute the cost of global health-care spending more fairly across countries, across generations, and between those lucky enough to enjoy good health and the unlucky ones suffering from serious medical conditions.

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