THE BRICS group of emerging countries vow to improve access to low-cost and high-quality medicine. They have called on developed nations to shoulder responsibility in helping the poor nations.
Health ministers from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa said they would work with international groups such as the World Health Organisation and UNAIDS, the joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, to provide affordable, safe and effective technologies.
"We are committed to continue to collaborate to advance access to public health services and support other countries in their efforts to promote good health for everyone," said the BRICS group.
The five emerging countries together account for more than 40 per cent of the world's population.
The gathering in the Chinese capital was the first Health Ministerial level meeting for the BRICS group. It was attended by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization.
The BRICS called on WHO members, especially developed countries, to boost funding for the organisation while Brazilian health minister Alexandre Padilha told reporters that wealthier countries should "shoulder" responsibility.
WHO Director General, Margaret Chan called on the BRICS – major suppliers of generic drugs used to treat diseases such as HIV/AIDS to boost production.
