Universal Healthcare Faces Access and Affordability Hurdles

Hindustan Times · health

Universal healthcare remains a distant reality for many in India, as illustrated by the struggles of a mother needing treatment for her son and a transgender person facing anxiety over screenings. The high cost of patented medicines, influenced by global intellectual property rights agreements like TRIPS, restricts access for developing nations. Pharmaceutical companies' economic interests in research and patents often conflict with providing affordable care. Balancing innovator profits with societal needs requires innovative solutions like differential pricing to ensure healthcare accessibility for all.