Pricing and access
Some nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) argue that drug prices and patents are the principal obstacles to access to medicine in the developing world. Yet the problem is much more complex.
The price of a patented, single-source medicine cannot remedy conditions of absolute poverty, poor-quality health systems, lack of appropriate diagnosis, inefficient drug procurement, storage and distribution systems or the difficulties of compliance often faced by impoverished patient populations.
Novartis believes that comprehensive multi-stakeholder solutions need to be developed to improve poor patients' access to both conventional and innovative treatments.
Single- and multiple-source medicines
Medicines are usually divided into single-source or multiple-source categories.
Single-source medicines, available from only one company, are generally patent-protected and tend to sell for higher prices, reflecting their value for patients and societies. Access to such drugs can be limited in poorer segments of society without sufficient healthcare infrastructures.
Multiple-source medicines tend to be generic and off-patent. Multiple producers, purchasers, differentiated products and low barriers to entry keep prices low. Prices vary, however, and inexpensive generics are not always available.