How can we improve access to diabetes care by making our products more affordable in developing countries, and yet sustain a profitable business?

Response from Søren Brix Christensen, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Denmark:

 “Thank you for not letting me die, yet.”

These were the words from a young, South African mother to me in one of Médecins Sans Frontières’ (MSF) HIV clinics. She had just started her anti-HIV treatment.

Try for a moment to imagine yourself in such a situation, where these words are reality – “Thank you for not letting me die, yet.” In moments like this I realise that we in the West have the key to prevent misery and premature deaths.

The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that a fundamental human right is the right to health. However, this right does not make any sense if you are sick and cannot afford the medical treatment. It does not make sense if no treatment exists because no research or production has been carried out.

The pharmaceutical industry plays a decisive role in the research, development and production of medicine. Market forces determine development and sale. In many places the market is out of play; it is a fact that 10% of the world’s population in the West use 90% of the world’s medicine. Does that mean that we are more afflicted by illness?

When you are involved with people and medicine, moral responsibility and high ethical standards follow. We all have a responsibility to solve these problems. The pharmaceutical industry should face its responsibility and earn its profit in financially resourceful regions. In poor parts of the world, where health problems are grave, there is a need for medicine at affordable prices. Here, essential medicine should be sold at cost price.

The pharmaceutical industry must be part of an open and constructive dialogue, characterised by transparency and good will. We, MSF, contribute with 3,000 doctors and nurses each year. The contribution of the pharmaceutical industry must be pricing and research and development that make it possible to transform the UN’s honourable intentions into reality.

Let us be part of a solution together, not part of the problem. Our actions are the beginning of change.

Søren Brix Christensen is an MD and through his work with MSF a vocal advocate for access to health in developing countries. When Oxfam in 2001 raised the critique against the pharmaceutical industry in connection with the South African court case on AIDS medicine, he was the leading figure in bringing the issue on the agenda in Denmark.