The right to health and international drug control, compulsory treatment for drug dependence and access to controlled medicines 2010, para. 47
Paragraph
Paragraph text
Economic affordability is a central component of the right-to-health requirement of accessibility. Controlled medicines need not be made available for free; rather, at an affordable cost. Despite this, even medicines that can be manufactured at low cost are not necessarily affordable for consumers, because drug producers incur significant regulatory costs that are passed on to consumers within the market price of the drug. For instance, Cipla, a generic manufacturer in India, produces 10 mg morphine tablets sold wholesale for US$ 0.017 each, yet the median cost of a month's supply of morphine in low- and middle-income countries is $112, as compared to $53 for industrialized countries. Additionally, non generic medicines frequently are promoted for use over cheaper, equally safe and effective generic counterparts. Branded drugs generally are more expensive and, therefore, unaffordable for large parts of the population, especially vulnerable groups, such as people who use drugs and people living with HIV.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
Equality & Inclusion
Health
Person(s) affected
All
Year
2010
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
SR Health, Report to the UNGA (2010), A/65/255, para. 47.