During the 1990s, MSF teams made a bitter observation: we were failing to treat some of our patients suffering from infectious diseases, while in developed countries, remarkable progress was being made in the field of health. Two decades on, medicines in developing countries are still either too expensive, aren't suitable to be used in many of the contexts in which we work (for example, in hot, humid conditions or where there's a lack of electricity), or simply don't exist for the diseases we need to treat.
In 1999, we launched the Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines, now known as the Access Campaign. Its mission focuses on three areas: overcoming barriers to access to essential medicines, stimulating research and development for neglected diseases, promoting health exceptions to global trade agreements.
In 2003, MSF joined several research institutes, including the Institut Pasteur, to create the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), a non-profit research and development organisation engaged in research and development of new treatments for neglected diseases.
![DR TB Treatment in Uzbekistan DR TB Treatment in Uzbekistan](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/3/8/a/d/MSF114187.jpg)
Pioneering clinical trial for drug-resistant tuberculosis starts
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MSF briefings and interventions at WHO Executive Board 140th session
The alarming consequences of poor quality medicines
![Abs hospital airstrike aftermath, Hajjah, Yemen Abs hospital airstrike aftermath, Hajjah, Yemen](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/01iaxu782eisadosu67g7vv80ys36061.jpg)
Crisis update - December 2016
![East Aleppo – Inside a hospital destroyed by an airstrike East Aleppo – Inside a hospital destroyed by an airstrike](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/tj1xpb627psnkodg5dksf83qd00u0oor.jpg)
MSF sends medical supplies to the wounded evacuated from east Aleppo
![MSF ends operations in Zaatari refugee camp MSF ends operations in Zaatari refugee camp](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/s40e57sl24gnb20m72x1bs46t0h268h5.jpg)
Border closure forces MSF's clinic for war-wounded Syrians in Zaatari refugee camp to shut
![East Aleppo East Aleppo](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/oa04gxy75u8745fn2h663l3gs345o652.jpg)
Crisis update — 28 November 2016
![Visit Dolo Ado Visit Dolo Ado](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/5w5x1ip531ysa2j56y7h73462546wc6a.jpg)
Refugees in border town of Dolo Ado escape drought and insecurity of Somalia
![HIV Patient - Mashiri and Duduzile Community Antiretroviral Groups HIV Patient - Mashiri and Duduzile Community Antiretroviral Groups](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/3l44050743jb0xt3710nfift074yp4fk.jpg)