scholarly journals Equitable and Effective Distribution of the COVID-19 Vaccines – A Scientific and Moral Obligation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Binagwaho ◽  
Kedest Mathewos ◽  
Sheila Davis
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Moral Obligation ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Local Distribution ◽  
Equitable Distribution ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns ◽  
Effective Distribution

The rapid development of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines has not been met with the assurance of an effective and equitable global distribution mechanism. Low-income countries are especially at-risk, with the price of the vaccines and supply shortages limiting their ability to procure and distribute the vaccines. While the COVAX initiative is one of the solutions to these challenges, vaccine nationalism has resulted in the hoarding of vaccines and the signing of parallel bilateral deals, undermining this formerly promising initiative. Moreover, inequity in local distribution also remains a problem, with clear discrimination of minorities and lack of logistical preparation in some countries. As we continue to distribute the COVID-19 vaccines, pharmaceutical companies should share their technology to increase supply and reduce prices, governments should prioritize equitable distribution to the most at-risk in all nations and low-income countries should bolster their logistical capacity in preparation for mass vaccination campaigns.

Analyzing the Morality of Owning and Suspending Patent Rights for COVID-19 Vaccines in the Light of Catholic Social Teaching

2021 ◽  
pp. 002436392110504
Author(s):  
Vivencio O. Ballano
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Common Good ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
The Common Good ◽  
Moral Principles ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Preferential Option ◽  
The Common

Using the Roman Catholic Church’s set of moral principles on social concerns called Catholic social teaching (CST) and utilizing some secondary data and scientific research literature, this article examines the morality of India and South Africa’s request to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to temporarily suspend the property rights and patents of top pharmaceutical companies to their vaccines to allow low-income countries to locally manufacture them to save the lives of the poor during this COVID-19 pandemic. Applying the theological method of “See-Judge-and-Act,” this article argues that the suspension of patents for COVID vaccines is morally justifiable in the light of CST’s principles on the universal destination of earth’s goods, the common good, and preferential option for the poor. The top pharmaceutical companies cannot claim absolute ownership to their vaccines as they do not totally own and fund the entire development and production process. Furthermore, the right to private ownership and patents has a social dimension and must serve the common good and welfare of the poor, especially in times of global emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Patent holders have a moral obligation to promote the common good and save the lives of the poor which must prevail over their capitalist quest for profit. This article recommends that Catholics and Christians must join this crusade for the suspension of patents as part of their spirituality of social transformation. Summary: Applying the Roman Catholic Church’s set of moral principles on social concerns called CST and utilizing some secondary data and scientific research literature, this article examines the morality of India and South Africa’s request to the World Trade Organization to temporarily suspend the property rights and patents of top pharmaceutical companies to their vaccines to allow low-income countries to locally manufacture them to save the lives of the poor during the current pandemic. Applying the theological method of “See-Judge-and-Act,” this article argues that the suspension of patents for COVID vaccines is morally justifiable in the light of CST’s principles on the universal destination of earth goods, the common good, and preferential option for the poor. It recommends that Catholics and Christians must join this crusade for the suspension of patents as part of their spirituality of social transformation. Short Summary: This article argues that patents of the top pharmaceutical companies to their COVID-19 vaccines must be suspended as requested by India and South Africa in the WTO in the light of CST’s moral principles on the universal destination of earth’s goods, the common good, and preferential option for the poor.

scholarly journals Access to and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccine in low-income countries

npj Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishna Prasad Acharya ◽  
Tirth Raj Ghimire ◽  
Supram Hosuru Subramanya
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Equitable Distribution

scholarly journals Access to fludrocortisone and to hydrocortisone in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: it takes a village…

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. e007195
Author(s):  
Amanda Rowlands ◽  
Asma Deeb ◽  
Asmahane Ladjouze ◽  
Rasha T Hamza ◽  
Salwa A Musa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Essential Medicines ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Adrenal Hyperplasia

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), if untreated, carries high morbidity and mortality. A higher incidence of CAH is expected in countries where consanguinity is common, such as in the countries of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO). CAH is managed through lifelong treatment with fludrocortisone and hydrocortisone. In this analysis, performed in the 22 EMRO countries and territories plus Algeria, we review which countries offer a neonatal screening programme for CAH and describe the barriers and opportunities to access oral fludrocortisone and oral and injectable hydrocortisone. Neonatal CAH screening was only available nationally in Qatar, Kuwait and partially in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. We reviewed the national lists of essential medicines (NEMLs) and found that 13/23 (57%) countries included fludrocortisone and 18/23 (78%) included oral hydrocortisone. Fludrocortisone was not included by any of the low-income countries and oral hydrocortisone was only included by one low-income country. We then contacted paediatric endocrinologists in each country to assess perceived availability of these medicines. Overall, there was a relatively good consistency between inclusion of fludrocortisone and hydrocortisone in the NEML and their actual availability in a country. We propose several mechanisms to improve access, including prequalification by the WHO, a common registration process for groups of countries, pooled procurement, working with local pharmaceutical companies, special access status for medicines not yet registered in a country and compounding. We suggest that access to medicines requires a collaboration between health professionals, families of patients, health authorities, pharmaceutical companies and the WHO.

scholarly journals Need for implementation of pharmacoeconomics in healthcare system, case of analysis of antibiotic consumption in Republic of Macedonia for 2016

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (02) ◽  
pp. 11-20
Author(s):  
Stevche Acevski ◽  
Zoran Nakov
Keyword(s):  
Medical Devices ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Pharmacoeconomic Analysis ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Traditional Concept ◽  
Republic Of Macedonia

Pharmacoeconomics is new and modern health science, implemented in developed societies, to play core role in creating health policies. The main aim of pharmacoeconomic analysis is development of science methodology for evaluation of costs and outcomes of treatment, evaluation of economic parameters in the face of outcomes of clinical results, from different treatment options. Pharmaceutical companies implemented pharmacoeconomic principles for diversifying marketing approach and market access in pharmaceutical development. New healthcare systems demand increased costs for medical care, pharmaceutical products and medical devices. Process of medical costs for evaluation of costs evolved, indirect and hidden costs are part of sole process of evaluation. Health authorities from one side and pharmaceutical companies from other side developed unique methodologies for evaluation. With these implemented changes, traditional concept for evaluation of efficacy and safety of medical devices and pharmaceutical products was overbridged and pharmacoeconomics is base for research, development, registration, reimbursement, as well as dispensing and follow the life cycle of medicines. Results from antibiotic consumption analysis in Republic of Macedonia at 2016 showed that total antibiotic consumption and antibiotic consumption per DDD/1000 citizens is according to average EU trends, mostly similarly to the usage trends of low-income countries. But usage of new and innovative antibiotic is on very low level, which indicates the need of further implementing of pharmacoeconomic analysis and principles in decision making process, for improved health care for the patients. The ultimate goal of implementing the pharmacoeconomic system in each country is enhancing the benefit to the patient through improved resource allocation. Keywords: pharmacoeconomics, type of pharmacoeconomic analysis, antibiotic consumption, Republic of Macedonia

scholarly journals Pneumococcal Immunization Strategies for High-Risk Pediatric Populations Worldwide: One Size Does Not Fit All

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1390
Author(s):  
Theano Lagousi ◽  
Ioanna Papadatou ◽  
Petros Strempas ◽  
Elena Chatzikalil ◽  
Vana Spoulou
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Pneumococcal Disease ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pediatric Populations ◽  
High Risk Children

Despite the significant reduction in pneumococcal disease due to pneumococcal vaccines, protection of vulnerable high-risk individuals, especially pediatric populations, remains a great challenge. In an effort to maximize the protection of high-risk children against pneumococcal disease, a combined schedule that includes both conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines is recommended by several countries in the developed world. On the other hand, middle- and low-income countries do not have in place established policies for pneumococcal immunization of children at risk. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, despite their benefits, have several limitations, mainly associated with serotype replacement and the wide range of serotype coverage worldwide. In addition, PPV23-impaired immunogenicity and the hyporesponsiveness effect among populations at risk have been well-documented. Therefore, the added value of continuing to include PPV23 in vaccination schedules for high-risk individuals in the years to come remains to be determined by monitoring whether the replacing/remaining serotypes causing IPD are covered by PPV23 to determine whether its benefits outweigh its limitations. In this review, we aim to describe serotype distribution and vaccine efficacy data on pneumococcal disease in the pre- and post-PCV implementation era among high-risk children in both developed and developing countries, assessing the optimization of current recommendations for their vaccination against pneumococcal disease.

scholarly journals Access to COVID-19 Vaccines in High-, Middle-, and Low-Income Countries Hosting Clinical Trials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reshma Ramachandran ◽  
Joseph S. Ross ◽  
Jennifer E Miller
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Lower Income ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The World ◽  
Lower Income Countries

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid development of multiple vaccines, vaccines that were tested in clinical trials located in several countries around the world. Because prior research has shown that pharmaceuticals do not receive consistent and timely authorization for use in lower-income countries where they are tested, we conducted a cross-sectional study examining the authorization or approval and delivery for COVID-19 vaccines recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the countries where they were tested. While countries of varying incomes have largely authorized the COVID-19 vaccines tested within their populations for use, high-income countries have received proportionately more doses, enabling them to more fully vaccinate their populations. As many lower-income countries continue to experience inequitable shortfalls in COVID-19 vaccine supply amid the ongoing pandemic, efforts must be undertaken to ensure timely access in countries across all income groups, including those hosting clinical trials.

Disasters: Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and volcanic eruptions

2020 ◽  
pp. 1713-1718
Author(s):  
Peter J. Baxter
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
The World ◽  
Urbanized Areas

Natural disasters (including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, floods) cause tens of thousands of deaths and adversely affect the lives of hundreds of millions of people every year. The trend is for the impacts to increase alongside the continuing expansion of human populations into regions at risk and with environmental degradation making human settlements more vulnerable, especially in heavily urbanized areas and megacities. This reckless development is going on in most countries of the world, even in places prone to natural disasters. Recent remarkable advances in forecasting weather-related disasters (hurricanes and floods) have to be matched with adequate disaster preparedness in those communities at high risk if they are to be translated into effective warnings, especially in low-income countries. Earthquakes remain notoriously unpredictable and have the greatest mortality toll of all natural disasters.

Low-income minority women at risk for cervical cancer: a process to improve adherence to follow-up recommendations

2001 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 608-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia A Cardin ◽  
Richard M Grimes ◽  
Zhi Dong Jiang ◽  
Nancy Pomeroy ◽  
Luther Harrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Minority Women

Three Cases of Joubert Syndrome in a Consanguineous Syrian Family and a Interesting Case of Multinational Collaboration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davor Petrović ◽  
Vida Čulić ◽  
Zofia Swinderek-Alsayed
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Autosomal Recessive ◽  
Autosomal Recessive Disorder ◽  
Joubert Syndrome ◽  
Interesting Case ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Ocular Motor ◽  
Quality Health Care ◽  
Quality Health ◽  
Motor Apraxia

AbstractJoubert syndrome (JS) is a rare congenital, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a distinctive brain malformation, developmental delay, ocular motor apraxia, breathing abnormalities, and high clinical and genetic heterogeneity. We are reporting three siblings with JS from consanguineous parents in Syria. Two of them had the same homozygous c.2172delA (p.Trp725Glyfs*) AHI1 mutation and the third was diagnosed prenatally with magnetic resonance imaging. This pathogenic variant is very rare and described in only a few cases in the literature. Multinational collaboration could be of benefit for the patients from undeveloped, low-income countries that have a low-quality health care system, especially for the diagnosis of rare diseases.

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