Acces to Generics and Intellectual Property

In many developing countries doctors and patients do not have access to the tests, treatments or vaccines they need as they do not have the money to pay for them. One of the reasons which explains the high prices of these health products is the monopoly given by patents to the pharmaceutical companies which market them. What is the connection between patents and the prices of medicines ? What is the international legislation on intellectual property and what are the consequences for public health ? How can people afford these treatments ? How can people at the national level have access to essential medicines ?

These are the questions we are going to deal with (see pdf file below).