Access to medicines in the context of the right-to-health framework 2013, para. 30
Paragraph- Paragraph text
- Prices of medicines are also affected by high add-on costs. Distribution mark-ups can represent over 40 per cent of the price ultimately paid on medicines by consumers. States tend to regulate mark-ups in the distribution chain through varied incentives or disincentives for wholesalers, retailers, public sector, private sector and suppliers in general to ensure continuity of the supply chain and access for consumers. Most developing countries use fixed percentages to regulate mark-ups throughout the distribution chain. While this method can reduce the price of specific medicines, it may also encourage the sale of higher-priced medicines rather than low-cost generic ones. To address this shortcoming, some developing and many developed countries use regressive mark-ups: the higher the cost of the product, the lower the mark-up it attracts. Some States do not apply mark-ups to medicines on the essential medicines list, or reimbursable lists, or if they do, they apply mark-ups differentially based on whether it is a branded medicine or a generic.
- 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
- N.A.
- Year
- 2013
- Paragraph type
- Other
- Reference
- SR Health, Report to the HRC (2013), A/HRC/23/42, para. 30.
- Paragraph number
- 30
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