Affordable medicines for all

The scandal of expensive medicines

In spite of advances in medical innovation, millions of people around the world suffer and die from treatable conditions because medicines are too expensive.
 
Historically this has tragically affected low and middle-income countries. But in recent years, the NHS has also struggled to pay extortionate prices and has had to turn down or ration new medicines. 
 

Corporate profits trump public health

Why are medicines so expensive? Drug companies can charge runaway prices because new drugs are protected by legal monopolies. This profit-driven model has made the pharmaceutical industry the most profitable in the world. Drug companies justify high prices by claiming they need to recoup their research and development costs. But nine of the top ten pharmaceutical companies spend more on marketing than on research and development. Also, most early-stage innovative research is publically funded. Drug companies reap the profits from publicly funded research, charging extortionate prices while patients are denied access to vital medicines.

Making sure any Covid-19 treatment is affordable for all

Over 70 potential vaccines are currently being researched and developed around the world but there's no guarantee that a vaccine will be made affordable for all.  Our campaign continues to fight to ensure that everyone is able to access any new Covid-19 vaccines or treatments that are in the pipeline. We are pushing the government to ensure that any new Covid-19 vaccine or treatments are affordable for all and reaches those who need it most. 

The UK government has so far committed £544 million towards researching a vaccine and treatments. But unless public health conditions are attached to publicly funded research, pharmaceutical giants can shut out anyone who can't afford their prices. When a vaccine is finally developed it should reach anyone who needs it, not just anyone who can afford it. 

Latest Blog Posts

Coronavirus is killing the poor far more than the rich. A vaccine must be free for everyone

Max Lawson
Max Lawson

19 May 2020
Coronavirus
Pharma

Pneumonia is killing 2,000 people every day. But not because of coronavirus. For nearly twenty years, millions of children have not had access to the patented vaccine manufactured by Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline due to its high cost, which has generated billions in profit for those corporations.

Coronavirus is killing the poor far more than the rich. A vaccine must be free for everyone

Max Lawson
Max Lawson

19 May 2020
Coronavirus
Pharma

Pneumonia is killing 2,000 people every day. But not because of coronavirus. For nearly twenty years, millions of children have not had access to the patented vaccine manufactured by Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline due to its high cost, which has generated billions in profit for those corporations.

The race for a coronavirus vaccine proves big pharma isn't fit for purpose

Heidi Chow

18 March 2020
Coronavirus
Pharma

As the spread of coronavirus continues unabated, the response of the pharmaceutical industry is being thrust into the spotlight. For years, major public health crises have exposed the fundamental conflict between profit and public health in our pharmaceutical system.