“The Indian Prime Minister must consider the need to combat growing epidemics such as drug-resistant tuberculosis, where treatment for just one patient can cost several thousand dollars”, said Menghaney. “The cost of newer drugs to treat multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) could be cut by up to 95% if generic versions could be produced in India the same way as HIV drugs. India needs to continue its production and supply of lower-cost generics, which are essential for public health.”

“We were able to scale up HIV treatment in our programmes because Indian generic medicines made treatment more affordable,” said Dr. Gilles Van Cutsem, Medical Coordinator for MSF in South Africa. “We shudder at the threats that India faces from the US government, other developed countries, and multinational drug companies. Any shift in India’s policy would dramatically undermine access to affordable medicines that we need in India, across Africa and beyond.”

MSF is urging African leaders and India to work together to combat efforts to undermine the ‘pharmacy of the developing world’.

“African leaders really should see this summit as an opportunity to work together with Prime Minister Modi to protect affordable access for people across the developing world”, said Dr Van Cutsem. “They need to remember that millions of people in Africa are alive today because of affordable medicines made in India.”