title: Patent Funded Access to Medicines.
abstract: Instead of impeding access to essential medicines in developing countries, the essay explores why and how patents can serve as a source of funding for the much needed access to medicine. Instead of a weakening of patents, prolonged protection periods are suggested in circumstances where there is widespread lack of access. The revenues from extended patents are seen as a source of funding for drug donations to the least developed countries.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Andreassen
mesh_terms: D002202:Capital Financing; D003906:Developing Countries; D018954:Drugs, Essential / Q000191:economics*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D010330:Patents as Topic
chemical_list: D018954:Drugs, Essential
keywords: developing world; distributive justice; health; international justice; medical ethics; pharmaceutical patents rights