Afford Quote by Barton Gellman
“Drug manufacturers could afford to sell AIDS drugs in Africa at virtually any discount. The companies said they did not do so because Africa lacked the requisite infrastructure.”
About This Quote
Source Article: The New York Times, “AIDS Drugs in Africa” by Barton Gellman, 2005
The quote highlights the disparity between pharmaceutical profit motives and humanitarian needs, noting that companies claim logistical barriers to justify high prices.
In simple terms: Companies claim logistics stop cheap AIDS drugs in Africa.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for policy that removes barriers and forces lower prices.
Themes
ethics
healthcare
global inequality
corporate responsibility
Mood
concerned
determined
critical
Type
political
advocacy
informational
When to use this quote
- NGO negotiations
- government procurement
- public health campaigns
- international aid
- price negotiations
Key Concepts
pharmaceutical economics
access to medicine
infrastructure challenges
Questions to Reflect On
- What policies could ensure affordable drug access while addressing infrastructure?
- How can NGOs and governments collaborate to overcome distribution hurdles?
A Different Perspective
Companies may argue that without infrastructure, drugs cannot be effectively distributed, which can be a genuine concern.
