title: [Asymmetry in international relations, industrial property rights and anti-HIV medication].
abstract: This paper analyzes the asymmetry in the international relations as refers to the recognition of industrial property rights in the pharmaceutical industry. It focuses on the impact of such relations upon the access to ARV medication, an issue of worldwide interest due to its connection with the development of the nations. Clashing interests and the position taken by some countries in their patent laws point to a scenario less favorable for the access of peripheral countries to anti-HIV/AIDS medication. On the other hand, it seems that the success of the Brazilian STD/AIDS program in negotiating ARV prices will open new possibilities. The solution may be the internal strengthening of the National States and the active role played by the Agencies of the United Nations System in defense of the collective human interests.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Planejamento e Administração em Saúde, Instituto de Medicina Social, UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20550-900. costacoutomh@gmail.com
authors.forename: Maria Helena
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Costa-Couto
authors.forename: Alvaro César
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Nascimento
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D004345:Drug Industry; D038622:Internationality; D010067:Ownership
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents