The global response to the Covid-19 pandemic has replicated the tragic mistakes of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, dividing the world between those who can access vaccines and treatments, and those who cannot.
Today the European Parliament will hold a debate on “Accelerating progress and tackling inequalities towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030”.
The human right to health should always take precedence over rules on Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). This is enshrined in the Doha Declaration and thanks to the mobilisation of activists globally, HIV/AIDS treatments’ costs dropped from nearly $10.000 to less than $100, making them accessible to millions of people.