Christa Cepuch, a pharmacist and health rights activist, has no doubt about the issue: essential medicines are basic and should be readily accessible at an affordable price.
But the reality is different as Min Abbo’s story illustrates. Min Abbo, 60, almost lost her life when she was afflicted with a severe bout of diarrhoea and vomiting. Her daughter, Miliosi Abbo, was contacted by relatives in the village that her mother was very sick and likely to pass on any time.
She had been hanging precariously between life and death for three weeks. Miliosi asked for time off from her housemaid job in Kampala to check on her mother in Tororo district. But she was shocked when she got there: her mother looked like an eight-year-old child.
Min Abbo could not afford the Shs 2,000 needed for the journey to the nearest health centre, not to mention the Shs 15, 000 the health centre would ask for before she’s treated.
High prices
Accessing drugs such as those that treat diarrhoea is integral to the World Health Organisation’s mission. The organisation wants to see that essential medicines are easily available. Yet, only a fraction of people living in Low Developed Countries (LDCs) are able to access medicines.
And while they are very poor, these countries buy the medicines expensively. For instance, a world medicine price index reveals that prices in Uganda are three to five times higher than international prices. This means that on average, 55% of Uganda’s household expenditures are on medicine – a big percentage considering that most live in poverty.
Cepuch notes that even though Uganda’s health budget was increased from Shs 101bn in the 2010/2011 to Shs 204bn in 2011/2012, this only translates into Shs 6,000 for each of the 33 million Ugandans per year.
The amount, according to the budget framework paper, is set to increase to Shs 280bn in three years. But while the government has demonstrated some commitment to health, Cepuch observes that the high population growth and inflation rates negate such efforts.
Patents
Pharmaceutical companies protect monopoly over their medicines through a complex regime of patents. Once these patents are registered, newly invented medicines are protected for 20 years.
Uganda is party to the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (TRIPS) – a piece of international legislation governing intellectual property, which includes innovations such as new medicines.
The inventors are given monopoly as patent holders and no one can manufacture the same drug until the patent expires. Yet, these patented drugs are often sold at astronomical prices only a few rich countries and individuals can afford.
The TRIPS, however, has flexibilities developing countries can take advantage of to ensure that patent holders are not protected at the expense of human life. For example, LDCs, with respect to medicines, do not have to comply with the patents until 2016.
This is meant to give them a chance to develop their pharmaceutical industry. In cases of extreme emergency, national urgency and under other circumstances, or for the protection of public health, a government may issue a compulsory licence to other manufactures to make medicines without the consent of the patent holder.
Alternatively, such medicines can be imported from countries where the patent holder’s rights do not apply and the same medicine is sold cheaper.
Generic drugs
Countries like Brazil, China and India are trail blazers in the manufacture of generic drugs. Cepuch explains that generics are exactly the same as the originator drugs manufactured by patent holders and they work in the exact same way and have the exact same effect.
However, the public often insists on the more expensive originator drug. For example, Hajji Mustafa Kakaire whose wife is suffering from cancer says he would never allow her to take drugs from India. Rather, he insists that she takes medicine from Germany. He refers to the drugs from India as “fake.”
Yet most drugs in the country are generic. ARV prices fell dramatically from what they were in the 1980s because of generic manufactures. The public mistakes generic medicines to mean the same thing as counterfeit and/or substandard.
Cepuch acknowledges that these terms are “confusing and meant to confuse.” She explains that generic drugs are not substandard or counterfeit. Substandard refers to drugs that may be legally on the market but are of poor quality due to factors like poor handling, storage or manufacturing errors, while counterfeit refer to drugs illegally on the market or those that infringe on patents.
While counterfeit and substandard drugs pause dangers, generic drugs are safe.
Ray of hope
In Uganda, Quality Chemicals Industry in Luzira, locally manufactures generic drugs, shining a ray of hope on the ailing pharmaceutical industry in LDCs. The only one of its kind in East Africa, George Baguma, director of marketing, says they aim at producing quality affordable medicines for the local people.
Thus, he says, the ideal retail price for Coartem, a malaria drug which they manufacture and whose active ingredients are available locally, should be Shs 2,000. The drug is sold at Shs 800 to wholesalers.
But in pharmacies around Kampala, a dose of Coartem from Quality Chemicals goes for Shs 10,000. Originator Coartem from Switzerland is about Shs 18,000. Baguma emphasizes that at public health facilities, these drugs should be given out free.
Florence Nakachwa, assistant registrar at the Uganda National Drug Authority, says they are mandated to ensure that medicines on the market are available, genuine and safe.
They, however, do not have control over the market prices. In fact there is currently nobody that regulates these prices. Pharmacies and medical units take advantage of Uganda’s liaisez faire trade policies to price the drugs as they please.
https://over-the-counter-drug.com/# over the counter testosterone
https://amoxil.science/# how to get amoxicillin over the counter
https://amoxil.science/# 875 mg amoxicillin cost
Drugs information sheet. drug information and news for professionals and consumers.
https://stromectolst.com/# ivermectin 3mg tablets price
Get warning information here. safe and effective drugs are available.
Everything what you want to know about pills. Read information now.
ivermectin over the counter
Everything information about medication. Read here.
drug information and news for professionals and consumers. Medscape Drugs & Diseases.
ivermectin cream 5%
All trends of medicament. earch our drug database.
Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe. What side effects can this medication cause?
stromectol 12mg
Get warning information here. Actual trends of drug.
Everything what you want to know about pills. Everything what you want to know about pills.
stromectol 3 mg tablets price
What side effects can this medication cause? Everything about medicine.
Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe. All trends of medicament.
https://stromectolst.com/# ivermectin 200mg
Drug information. Get here.
Best and news about drug. drug information and news for professionals and consumers.
ivermectin oral
Medicament prescribing information. Get warning information here.
п»їMedicament prescribing information. earch our drug database.
https://stromectolst.com/# ivermectin 2%
Read now. Comprehensive side effect and adverse reaction information.
Everything what you want to know about pills. Read now.
ivermectin usa price
Definitive journal of drugs and therapeutics. Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions.
Cautions. Medicament prescribing information.
https://stromectolst.com/# cost of ivermectin
Best and news about drug. safe and effective drugs are available.
Read information now. Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions.
cost of ivermectin
Medscape Drugs & Diseases. Read now.
earch our drug database. Read information now.
https://stromectolst.com/# ivermectin iv
Commonly Used Drugs Charts. Medscape Drugs & Diseases.
Everything what you want to know about pills. Read information now.
ivermectin 1% cream generic
earch our drug database. Top 100 Searched Drugs.
Read here. Everything what you want to know about pills.
п»їorder stromectol online
All trends of medicament. Everything about medicine.
Read information now. Definitive journal of drugs and therapeutics.
ivermectin usa
Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions. Get information now.
Drug information. Some trends of drugs.
https://stromectolst.com/# stromectol 3 mg price
Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe. Get information now.
Read now. What side effects can this medication cause?
https://stromectolst.com/# ivermectin over the counter
earch our drug database. Get warning information here.
Read information now. Drugs information sheet.
https://mobic.store/# where to get generic mobic without a prescription
Get warning information here. Medscape Drugs & Diseases.
Cautions. What side effects can this medication cause?
https://levaquin.science/# can i order levaquin without rx
Everything about medicine. п»їMedicament prescribing information.
Actual trends of drug. earch our drug database.
can i buy cheap nexium without dr prescription
Generic Name. Get warning information here.
Generic Name. Drugs information sheet.
https://lisinopril.science/# generic for prinivil
Best and news about drug. Get here.
Everything about medicine. п»їMedicament prescribing information.
https://nexium.top/# can i order cheap nexium without dr prescription
Read information now. Medscape Drugs & Diseases.
All trends of medicament. Everything information about medication.
zestril 5mg
Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions. Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side.
Cautions. Comprehensive side effect and adverse reaction information.
cost cheap mobic pill
Generic Name. earch our drug database.
Long-Term Effects. Generic Name.
can you get cheap nexium for sale
Everything about medicine. Get information now.
Get here. Get warning information here. cost of avodart for sale
Cautions. Drug information.
Cautions. Top 100 Searched Drugs.
https://nexium.top/# where can i get nexium pills
Medicament prescribing information. Get information now.
Drug information. Everything information about medication. cost generic avodart price
Get warning information here. Get information now.
Cautions. Read information now. order amoxicillin no prescription
Drugs information sheet. Comprehensive side effect and adverse reaction information.
Drug information. Drug information. how much is amoxicillin
drug information and news for professionals and consumers. Actual trends of drug.
Medscape Drugs & Diseases. drug information and news for professionals and consumers.
can i buy generic clomid online
Read now. Generic Name.
Some trends of drugs. Top 100 Searched Drugs.
how to get cheap propecia for sale
Medscape Drugs & Diseases. Some trends of drugs.
Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions. drug information and news for professionals and consumers.
buy zithromax online fast shipping
earch our drug database. Top 100 Searched Drugs.
Get information now. Read now.
where can i buy zithromax medicine
Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side. Everything about medicine.
Generic Name. Read now. amoxicillin buy no prescription
Long-Term Effects. Read information now.
All trends of medicament. Read now.
buy zithromax no prescription
earch our drug database. Some trends of drugs.
earch our drug database. Read now.
https://azithromycins.com/ zithromax online
Everything about medicine. Best and news about drug.
Everything about medicine. Actual trends of drug.
cost of propecia without a prescription
Everything information about medication. Long-Term Effects.
safe and effective drugs are available. Some trends of drugs.
where can i get generic clomid without a prescription
Actual trends of drug. Cautions.
Definitive journal of drugs and therapeutics. Long-Term Effects.
cost clomid
Commonly Used Drugs Charts. Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side.
Read now. Commonly Used Drugs Charts. https://amoxicillins.online/ amoxicillin 250 mg
Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe. Everything what you want to know about pills.
п»їMedicament prescribing information. Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions.
how to get generic propecia pill
Read information now. Cautions.
All trends of medicament. Generic Name. https://amoxicillins.com/ amoxacillian without a percription
Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe. Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side.
safe and effective drugs are available. Read information now.
https://azithromycins.com/ cost of generic zithromax
Top 100 Searched Drugs. Medscape Drugs & Diseases.
All trends of medicament. drug information and news for professionals and consumers. amoxicillin 500mg tablets price in india
Generic Name. Definitive journal of drugs and therapeutics.
Read here. Top 100 Searched Drugs. https://amoxicillins.com/ amoxicillin no prescription
Everything information about medication. Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side.
Actual trends of drug. Top 100 Searched Drugs.
best ed treatment
Everything what you want to know about pills. Read information now.
Everything about medicine. Read here.
https://edonlinefast.com best otc ed pills
drug information and news for professionals and consumers. drug information and news for professionals and consumers.
Drugs information sheet. What side effects can this medication cause?
pills erectile dysfunction
earch our drug database. Drugs information sheet.
Cautions. Long-Term Effects.
non prescription ed pills
earch our drug database. Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe.
Long-Term Effects. Drug information.
new ed drugs
Comprehensive side effect and adverse reaction information. Read information now.
Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions. Definitive journal of drugs and therapeutics.
male ed drugs
Best and news about drug. Everything what you want to know about pills.
Comprehensive side effect and adverse reaction information. Everything about medicine.
natural ed remedies
Best and news about drug. Comprehensive side effect and adverse reaction information.
Commonly Used Drugs Charts. Read information now. where to buy amoxicillin 500mg
Generic Name. safe and effective drugs are available.
Top 100 Searched Drugs. Top 100 Searched Drugs.
erectile dysfunction medicines
Actual trends of drug. Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe.
Long-Term Effects. Comprehensive side effect and adverse reaction information.
canadian drug prices
earch our drug database. Medscape Drugs & Diseases.
Drug information. Drugs information sheet.
canadian compounding pharmacy
Medscape Drugs & Diseases. Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side.
Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions. earch our drug database.
https://canadianfast.com/# comfortis without vet prescription
Comprehensive side effect and adverse reaction information. Everything about medicine.
Cautions. Read information now.
ed meds online without doctor prescription
Top 100 Searched Drugs. Everything information about medication.
Read information now. drug information and news for professionals and consumers.
canadapharmacyonline legit
Actual trends of drug. Long-Term Effects.
Drugs information sheet. Everything what you want to know about pills.
https://canadianfast.com/# prescription drugs
Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe. Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side.
Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions. Medicament prescribing information.
canada pharmacy 24h
earch our drug database. safe and effective drugs are available.
Commonly Used Drugs Charts. drug information and news for professionals and consumers.
non prescription ed pills
Definitive journal of drugs and therapeutics. Get warning information here.
safe and effective drugs are available. Read now.
comfortis for dogs without vet prescription
Everything about medicine. Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side.
Actual trends of drug. Commonly Used Drugs Charts.
pet antibiotics without vet prescription
Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions. earch our drug database.
All trends of medicament. Drug information.
https://canadianfast.online/# comfortis for dogs without vet prescription
Everything what you want to know about pills. Long-Term Effects.
Read information now. Get here.
canadian drugs
Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe. earch our drug database.
Commonly Used Drugs Charts. drug information and news for professionals and consumers.
https://canadianfast.com/# anti fungal pills without prescription
Everything what you want to know about pills. Everything about medicine.
Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side. drug information and news for professionals and consumers.
https://canadianfast.com/# sildenafil without a doctor’s prescription
Cautions. Read information now.
safe and effective drugs are available. Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe.
canadian drug prices
Read now. All trends of medicament.
Medicament prescribing information. Medicament prescribing information.
sildenafil 100 mg tablet cost
safe and effective drugs are available. earch our drug database.
Get here. Everything what you want to know about pills.
how much viagra to take
Read now. Commonly Used Drugs Charts.
Cautions. All trends of medicament.
sildenafil online mexico
Some trends of drugs. Long-Term Effects.
Some trends of drugs. Everything what you want to know about pills.
sildenafil 20 mg online
Medscape Drugs & Diseases. Read information now.
Long-Term Effects. Some trends of drugs.
https://viagrapillsild.online/# viagra copyright
Long-Term Effects. Get warning information here.
Best and news about drug. Some trends of drugs.
taking cialis and viagra together
Long-Term Effects. Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions.
Read here. Commonly Used Drugs Charts.
cialis super active review
Get information now. Generic Name.
Comprehensive side effect and adverse reaction information. Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe.
https://tadalafil1st.online/# free samples viagra cialis
All trends of medicament. Cautions.
All trends of medicament. Read here.
https://tadalafil1st.online/# cost of cialis 20mg
Get warning information here. п»їMedicament prescribing information.
Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions. Read information now.
https://tadalafil1st.online/# cheap tadalafil online
All trends of medicament. Read now.
Read information now. Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side.
cheap cialis pills uk
Read information now. Read information now.
Actual trends of drug. Best and news about drug.
https://tadalafil1st.online/# cheap 10 mg tadalafil
Drugs information sheet. drug information and news for professionals and consumers.
Drug information. Read here.
https://tadalafil1st.online/# cialis store in philippines
Comprehensive side effect and adverse reaction information. Read information now.
Get information now. Medscape Drugs & Diseases.
tadalafil brand name in india
Read now. Get warning information here.
Read information now. п»їMedicament prescribing information.
tadalafil tablets 10 mg online
Some trends of drugs. Read information now.
Generic Name. Everything information about medication.
https://tadalafil1st.com/# cialis canada pharmacy no prescription required
All trends of medicament. Comprehensive side effect and adverse reaction information.
Definitive journal of drugs and therapeutics. Drug information.
https://tadalafil1st.com/# where to buy tadalafil in usa
safe and effective drugs are available. Cautions.
Some trends of drugs. Cautions.
cialis overnight delivery
Drugs information sheet. Get here.
Cautions. Some trends of drugs.
tadalafil generic in usa
Best and news about drug. Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions.
Get here. Actual trends of drug.
https://propeciaf.store/ buying generic propecia tablets
п»їMedicament prescribing information. Top 100 Searched Drugs.
Commonly Used Drugs Charts. Everything about medicine.
amoxil generic
Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe. All trends of medicament.
All trends of medicament. Actual trends of drug.
amoxicillin 500mg no prescription
Read information now. Definitive journal of drugs and therapeutics.
It is very good information about some myths regarding the curing of both HIV and hepatitis C infection. It was somewhat useful for many including me. It is a must-read blog to explore the new info about HIV and hepatitis C infection curable medicines. Keep it posting these kinds of informative blogs in the future!