29 January 2025
Millions of people living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are facing the risk of treatment shortages following the recent funding pause for critical HIV programs. According to UNAIDS, around 28.7 million people are currently on antiretroviral treatment in LMICs, with over 83% of these medicines provided through MPP’s licensees. These treatments have been procured, delivered, and distributed in many countries thanks to international aid, including substantial contributions from the US programs of USAID and PEPFAR. These programs have transformed the global HIV response over the past decades, saving countless lives and enabling millions to thrive in LMICs.
Millions of lives depend on uninterrupted access to life-saving HIV therapies including half a million of children who depend on these medicines, and it is vital that we maintain the progress achieved so far so that services can deliver them to those in need. Sustained efforts and strong partnerships are essential to ensuring that no one is left behind.
Global progress in the fight against HIV has been a collective achievement, made possible through partnerships, investments, and determination. Our priority remains to ensure that critical medicines continue to reach those who rely on them during these uncertain times. We offer our support in any way we can to the World Health Organization, governments, generic manufacturers, partners, and communities to address challenges that may arise.
MPP’s vision of a world where everyone has timely and continued access to affordable, high-quality medicines remains steadfast. We will continue to collaborate and engage with stakeholders in the hope that essential treatments continue to reach all those who need them, now and in the future, preserving the health of people living and affected by HIV.
Press and Media
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public health organisation working to increase access to and facilitate the development of life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries. Through its innovative business model, MPP partners with civil society, governments, international organisations, industry, patient groups, and other stakeholders to prioritise and license needed medicines and pool intellectual property to encourage generic manufacture and the development of new formulations.
To date, MPP has signed agreements with 22 patent holders for 13 HIV antiretrovirals, one HIV technology platform, three hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals, a tuberculosis treatment, a cancer treatment, four long-acting technologies, a post-partum haemorrhage medicine, three oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 and 16 COVID-19 technologies.
MPP was founded by Unitaid, which continues to be MPP’s main funder. MPP’s work on access to essential medicines is also funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Government of Canada, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Government of Flanders. MPP’s activities in COVID-19 are undertaken with the financial support of the Japanese Government, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the German Agency for International Cooperation, and SDC.