A/HRC/7/30
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market for paediatric antiretroviral treatment exists mainly in low-income countries because
relatively few children are born with HIV in higher-income countries. Pharmaceutical companies
have been reluctant to undertake research and development into medicines for children living
with HIV.
35. Conectas Direitos Humanos provided information on the challenges in ensuring universal
access to medicines in Brazil. Although Brazil is able to produce generic drugs locally and
passed an act which guarantees access to treatment, including antiretrovirals and medicines for
opportunistic infections, the increase in the cost of treatment for newer medicines due to patent
laws remains a challenge. The NGO was of the view that Brazil’s success at ensuring universal
access to HIV treatment was due to: strong support from civil society in securing compulsory
licences; Government commitment to universal access to health and treatment; existing
precedents where compulsory licensing was successful; and the availability of more than one
compulsory licensed medicine.
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