Providing access to medicines
Global access to medicines has become particularly urgent in recent years, primarily because of the large number of infections with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Public health services in developing countries are not as well developed as they are in industrialized nations. Success or failure in the fight against such diseases as tuberculosis or malaria depends largely on the availability of affordable drugs.
Socially acceptable prices in developing countries and emerging nations
People all over the world have a right to access affordable quality products for their health. A differential pricing scheme can sustainably improve access to medicines. Bayer Schering Pharma's differential pricing strategy takes each recipient country's disease burden and level of development into account.
We offer our products at cost price in developing countries where demand is great, but access to medicines is hampered by very low average incomes and a poor healthcare infrastructure. In the so-called emerging nations, where economic development is more advanced, we sell our drugs at socially acceptable permanent discount prices. In industrial and middle-income countries, we run patient assistance programs to supply the necessary drugs to patients who are not covered by health insurance or cannot afford treatment.
Differential pricing enables us to assure a reliable supply of drugs even to the poorest countries while still maintaining our economic viability.
Donations and emergency relief in times of crisis
In addition, we concentrate on long-term cooperation with reliable partners in our donation projects. We also provide emergency assistance for victims in disaster areas.
Joint action in collaborations
Not only in family planning do we contribute toward reducing global disparities in medical care. For many years we have been taking part in various collaborations known as public-private partnerships, including many projects aimed at achieving a fairer supply of drugs. For example, we are cooperating with the World Health Organization (WHO) in the fight against neglected tropical diseases – and with the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance) in studies to develop a drug against tuberculosis that can shorten the usual duration of treatment.
