Topic: Insuring Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals
Country: Malawi
Delegate Name: Melissa Caren
School: Royal Oak High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Malawi position papers GLIMUN 2012 committees
An important step in further assisting with the developing of nations worldwide is ensuring the provision of organized health systems and healthcare, and the access of affordable pharmaceuticals. There is no question that there are millions throughout the world in need of medical attention that cannot attain it for any of several reasons. Whether it's due to lack of accessibility, inability to afford what's available, or inadequate means of supplying these pharmaceuticals, it is crucial that the people in need of these medicinal products have access to them.
Malawi believes that in developing nations like itself where healthcare systems are in dire need of improvement, short term solutions regarding immediate access to pharmaceuticals must be implemented while attempting to repair the flawed healthcare systems. For every 100,000 people in Malawi there are 2 physicians, making it extremely difficult to treat every person. With the support of organizations such as GAIA, the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance, it is possible to slow the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases while providing supplies, support, and healthcare to distant villages who may not have access to any of these things otherwise. GAIA is a non-profit NGO founded in response to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic that aims to provide basic health services and target prevention, care, and support in communities affected by HIV, AIDS, TB, and malaria in Africa. GAIA has been very successful in establishing healthier clinics and hospitals, donating and distributing pharmaceuticals, and educating the youth of Malawi on preventative measures to take as to avoid further spreading of HIV/AIDS. Roughly half of Malawi's population is under 15, making it critical that the youth knows how to avoid the spread of these infectious illnesses. With the assistance of other NGOs and projects similar to GAIA, it is possible to provide more pharmaceuticals, to establish healthcare systems, and to slow the spread of diseases which require these materials.
There is a simple solution to making pharmaceuticals somewhat less expensive. By buying generic drugs rather than brand-name medications of a much higher price, it is easier to distribute medication and to assist more people. Generic and non-generic pharmaceuticals have the exact same effect, making it much more reasonable to purchase generic brands.
Another issue has arisen in response to unaffordable/unavailable pharmaceuticals: counterfeit pharmaceuticals. According to a report on the situation of counterfeit medicines in Africa and Eastern Mediterranean areas published by WHO, SFFC (Spurious/falsely-labelled/falsified/counterfeit) medicines "pose a significant danger to public health in developing as well as developed countries." Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are a major threat because of the difficulty to differentiate them from legitimate medicines. These counterfeit drugs are often sold cheap in developing nations off the street and purchased by desperate people, poor and suffering. Many of these "dummy" drugs are taken in place of actual effective pharmaceuticals, which is incredibly dangerous to anyone who's life relies on their medication, or to anyone who receives an illegitimate drug that may cause them harm. In order to prevent the distribution of these SFFC products, Malawi believes the African Union should do their best to place reasonable regulations on pharmaceuticals that will help eliminate the trade of illegitimate medicines and to punish the distributors of said products. Makers of pharmaceuticals should receive approval from a country on the ingredients in their medications before distribution in that country, and a strict list of approved medications should be put out as to avoid the dispensing of faulty drugs.
Insuring access to affordable, safe pharmaceuticals will take several processes and a lot of time. But with the assistance of current, successful programs, improved health systems, and by issuing new restrictions on the distribution of medications, it is possible to create a healthier world population.
