14 December 2024
On the occasion of World AIDS Day, ITN Business released a video highlighting how MPP’s voluntary licensing model has supported access to essential medicines in the HIV field and how its model could be applied in oncology.
The video takes us to Kenyatta National Hospital. in Kenya, where we see firsthand how HIV treatment has become more accessible and is transforming lives. We meet Josephine, a mother of two who has lived with HIV for over two decades, and hear her story about the impact of affordable treatment. Nelson Otwoma, Director of NEPHAK Kenya, explains how the availability of generic dolutegravir through public health-oriented voluntary licensing and the work of many partners has been a game changer for Kenya, making treatment affordable and accessible to millions.
The film also explores the potential of the MPP model to support access to other essential medicines, especially in cancer treatment. We hear from Kennedy Odhiambo, a Nairobi resident receiving esophageal cancer treatment, who shares the challenges of accessing affordable cancer medication.
This film is part of the ITN Business programme “HIV: Towards Zero by 2030”, hosted by Sharon Thomas. We invite you to watch and learn more about the impact of MPP’s work and the ongoing efforts to improve access to life-saving medicines.
🔗 bit.ly/3AWZIpj
Access MPP’s report demonstrating how voluntary licensing can be good for health and smart for business: https://lnkd.in/d_hGw8WT
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.