The marginal cost of increasing production to meet developing world needs is small. Why compulsory licensing poses such a threat as to lead to powerful opposition is hard to understand. The companies say it is to protect their intellectual property rights. 35 Parallel importing. This is importing from a country where the drug is cheaper.
Prices often bear little relation to the population's ability to pay.
However in practice it is fiercly opposed by the USA although the USA also uses parallel importing when it suits them. However, it is becoming increasingly common and understood, including in the UK where hospitals are beginning to consider importation from Europe as a response to restricted treatment budgets. 36 Debt relief. With discharge of debt, these become more achievable. The HIV epidemic is further exacerbated through the fall in the value of cash crops forcing people to leave the land and head for the cities, depreciating currencies increases the cost of imported drugs, and because of the resultant increased malnutrition and growth in prostitution for survival.