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.
![Syrian Refugees Stranded in the "Berm" Jordan/Syria Border Syrian Refugees Stranded in the "Berm" Jordan/Syria Border](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/0/3/2/2/MSF170071.jpg)
Winter will bring even more desperate living conditions for over 75,000 Syrians stranded at the 'Berm'
![MSF outpatient department in Carnot MSF outpatient department in Carnot](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/u8p1edn2tc2wx8xq68e7888pwj0duem8.jpg)
Don't turn off the life support
![Uganda overwhelmed as tens of thousands flee violence in South Sudan Uganda overwhelmed as tens of thousands flee violence in South Sudan](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/16j5m31658nf8vjtkdol120v6ndkhpg0.jpg)
Testimonies from Bidi Bidi refugee camp
![Kabo, Health Centre, CAR Kabo, Health Centre, CAR](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/64v535k882r71027481476so22j7d7d2.jpg)
A protracted crisis that must not be forgotten
![Medical activities in Bentiu PoC, South Sudan, 2016 Medical activities in Bentiu PoC, South Sudan, 2016](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/i6ue00wm8pm0rhg48ba5b8f706ku40yd.jpg)
Medical situation remains fragile in Bentiu protection of civilians site
![East Aleppo East Aleppo](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/x0374fl7bby82t5c02i5spqk85nuhos1.jpg)
Doctors under siege
![East Aleppo East Aleppo](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/oa04gxy75u8745fn2h663l3gs345o652.jpg)
Besiegement and bombing of east Aleppo is deepening a desperate health crisis
![Vaccination against pneumonia Vaccination against pneumonia](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/e/b/f/7/MSF171257.jpg)
MSF welcomes Pfizer's pneumonia vaccine price reduction for children in humanitarian emergencies
![Bangassou - multi antigen vaccination campaign. Bangassou - multi antigen vaccination campaign.](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/0h0rm61mt27374658u1x08432rdhh3j2.jpg)