Fiona Hall MEP

To mark World Aids Day a Lib Dem MEP has warned that the prices of AIDS medicines are on the rise again and has called for the creation of a patent pool that would help make treatment more affordable and effective for patients suffering from the condition.

Fiona Hall MEP has signed a written declaration in the European Parliament calling on governments to support steps taken by UNITAID, an international drug purchasing facility, to create a voluntary patent pool for AIDS medication.

The aim is to get different patent-holders to make their patents and other relevant intellectual property available to others, in exchange for royalties from those who use the patents. It is hoped that the patent pool will lower monopoly-related barriers to innovation, accelerate the availability of lower-priced new medicines and reduce the transaction costs of negotiating licences.

Fiona said:
"Although AIDS medication has improved over the years, only a third of the 10 million people in need of antiretroviral treatment has access to it and with prices on the rise an increasing number of patients struggles to afford therapy.

"I welcome UNITAID's efforts to make AIDS medication more affordable and accessible and urge ministers to support it. The proposed patent pool has the potential to help millions in desperate need of treatment."

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