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Law, Politics, and Access to Essential Medicines in Developing Countries

Author

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  • Heinz Klug

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison, Klug@wisc.edu, School of Law at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa)

Abstract

This article argues that to advance the struggle for access to essential medicines, it is necessary to identify the global and local regimes that shape the rules that give impetus to particular policy options, while undermining others. In exploring the role of law and politics in this process, the author first outlines the globalization of a standardized, corporate-inspired, intellectual property regime. Second, the author uses the example of the HIV/AIDS pandemic to demonstrate how the stability of this new regime came under pressure, both locally and globally. Finally, it is argued that while the global HIV/AIDS pandemic and the social movements that emerged in response to government inaction have effectively challenged the TRIPS regime, this complex contestation has reached an unsustainable stalemate in which development aid, corporate, and non-governmental philanthropy is simultaneously providing increased availability to drugs while precluding a more lasting solution to the crisis of access to essential medicines in developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Heinz Klug, 2008. "Law, Politics, and Access to Essential Medicines in Developing Countries," Politics & Society, , vol. 36(2), pages 207-245, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:polsoc:v:36:y:2008:i:2:p:207-245
    DOI: 10.1177/0032329208316568
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Olsen Tricia D. & Sinha Aseema, 2013. "Linkage politics and the persistence of national policy autonomy in emerging powers: patents, profits, and patients in the context of TRIPS compliance," Business and Politics, De Gruyter, vol. 15(3), pages 323-356, October.

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