UK leads initiative to drive down cost of drugs in poor countries

A new organisation is being set up to increase transparency in the regulation, procurement, distribution, and sales of drugs in developing countries. Its objective is to drive the cost of drugs down to levels that patients can afford.

The UK led initiative, called the Medicines Transparency Alliance, has just had its first stakeholder meeting and will be launched in the coming months. It will run pilot projects in up to nine countries. Its aim is to publish information on the amount, quality, and price of drugs in poor countries; to allow patients to see what they should pay and give them confidence in the quality and safety of the drugs; and to create a forum in each pilot country that will bring together patients, doctors, non-governmental organisations, and those involved in supplying drugs.

Hilary Benn, secretary …