Changing global essential medicines norms to improve access to AIDS treatment: lessons from Brazil
Nunn, A.; Fonseca, E.Da.; Gruskin, S.
Global Public Health 4(2): 131-149
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 1744-1692 PMID: 19333805 DOI: 10.1080/17441690802684067Document Number: 205728
Brazil's large-scale, successful HIV/AIDS treatment programme is considered by many to be a model for other developing countries aiming to improve access to AIDS treatment. Far less is known about Brazil's important role in changing global norms related to international pharmaceutical policy, particularly international human rights, health and trade policies governing access to essential medicines. Prompted by Brazil's interest in preserving its national AIDS treatment policies during World Trade Organisation trade disputes with the USA, these efforts to change global essential medicines norms have had important implications for other countries, particularly those scaling up AIDS treatment. This paper analyses Brazil's contributions to global essential medicines policy and explains the relevance of Brazil's contributions to global health policy today.