Resolution 17/14 adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council in conjunction with its Regular Session of July 2011 requests the Special Rapporteur on the Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health “to prepare […] a study on existing challenges with regard to access to medicines in the context of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, ways to overcome them and good practices” to be presented to the Human Rights Council in conjunction with its 23rd Regular Session (May-June 2013).
The aim of this Parallel Event was to demonstrate the multiple challenges encountered when trying to ensure that all people have access to affordable, accessible, and good quality treatment. While pricing and patent issues must be resolved, attention also must be given to challenges posed by the Social Determinants of Health which, as defined by the World Health Organization, “are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age”. In fact, the lack of enabling international and national environments and the existence of structural obstacles may also be considered as root causes of the violation of the Right to Health.
By way of illustration, the Event presented positive approaches to promoting and facilitating access to treatment among people living with HIV, especially those from the most poor and marginalized populations, through advocacy for lower prices, the lifting of obstacles presented by restrictive intellectual property policies, the elimination of stigma and iscrimination, and increased access to antiretroviral medication for local communities.
This Parallel Event has therefore:
Moderators
Mr. Peter PROVE - Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, Executive Director
Rev. Msgr. Robert J. VITILLO - Caritas Internationalis, HIV/AIDS Special Advisor