ABSTRACT
This chapter specifically addresses recent wave of drug industry scrutiny with respect to transparency and fairness of drug pricing, new calls for compulsory licensing and de-linking pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) from manufacturing by patient activists and some academics. The affordability of prescription drugs by patients in need has been the central theme of the World Health Organization discussions, with health as a fundamental human right being a strong underlying principle. The following fundamental questions are heard among participants in fair pricing discussions: Is it fair to charge a patient more than he/she can afford for a prescription drug that is essential for health?, Is it fair to expect that payment to include a charge to fund new R&D for the inventor?, Should confidential prices with governments be made public?, Should drug companies be forced to show detailed financials, showing development cost for each drug?, and Should R&D be paid by government and the role of industry be limited to manufacturing?.
