This dissertation was written as part of the MSc in Bioeconomy and Law at the International Hellenic University. The lack of access to medicines during health crisis is no longer just a problem in developing countries. European Member State governments currently face a looming access to medicines that can battle health crises as they struggle to afford new medicines with excessive price tags. Moreover, despite strong IP protection and continued strengthening of market monopolies in Europe, there has been a striking lack of medical innovation to battle health crisis timely. Generally speaking, only few truly valuable medicines have been brought to market over the last decade.
This paper identifies the contradiction between the Commission’s stated commitments to ensure access to medicines for all while safeguard the right to public health during health crisis and the EU’s trade policy. It also provides a series of recommendations that would enable the Commission and EU to achieve its access to medicines commitments in emergency situations and broader development and public health objectives. It should be mentioned that the dissertation will be a literature based one.
This paper would not have been made possible without the valuable guidance and advice from my supervisor, Dr Komninos Komnios.
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