CSOs Advocate More Licence To Pharmaceutical Companies

Civil Society Organisations in the Federal Capital Territory have called on Gilead and other pharmaceutical organizations to allow developing countries have access to lifesaving drugs as well as give open license to generic production of HIV and hepatitis C drugs.

They made the call at an advocacy forum organized by AIDS Health Care Foundation in Abuja.

The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Network of Religious Leaders Living with HIV/AIDS (NINERELA) Amber Erinunwinhe said the group will continue to stand strong to ensure millions of people have access to quality health.

She Also Noted that it is important to rise against wrong practices of big pharmaceutical companies so as to enable more people have access to treatment.

On his part Advocacy Specialist, Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWAN), Mr Micheal Edoh said the world would be a better place if drugs are accessible and affordable everywhere in the world.

According to him,`CSO’s have gotten hold not just on the government but also on business entities.

“We will continue to advocate at our various spaces, different platforms, and engage various relevant stakeholders locally and at the global space.

“We will continue to call out Gilead and big pharmaceutical companies to stop evergreening and patent extension in ways its taking advantage of the vulnerable communities.

National Deputy Coordinator, Association of Positive Youths Living with HIV in Nigeria (APYIN), Kareem Adebola said the advocacy was timely as it affects persons living with HIV and other life threatening diseases.

Adebola stated that the mission of Gilead was to transform the lives of people living with life threatening diseases, however, the excess profiteering on medications over lives was totally against their mission

Earlier, Director for Advocacy and Marketing for Africa Breau AHF, Mrs Oluwakemi Gbadamosi-Braimah, said the advocacy was to stop Gilead’s and other big pharmaceutical Companies wrong practices as regards to profiteering, evergreening and hoarding of licence to life saving medication meant to save humanity.

“these issues do not only affect the organisations but the communities that we save, such as people living with HIV and hepatitis,’’ she said.

The advocacy forum was organised by AIDS HealthCare Foundation with the theme: 30 days, 30 countries Gilead Advocacy.

Sarah Gimba, Edited By Shakirat Alabi