UNITAID to launch patent pool

Aids medication could become more readily available thanks to a new scheme by a major drugs company.

UNITAID has revealed that it is introducing a 'patent pool' to help provide treatments for poorer nations.

The initiative, which is set to begin next year, will allow patient-adapted versions of new medications to be available to lower income countries and individuals.

Phillippe Douste-Blazy, chair of the executive board for UNITAID, said that this marks an "historic day".

He added: "UNITAID on all other mentions has now put in place a mechanism that will make medical advances work for the poor, while compensating companies for sharing their technology."

UNITAD is to provide $4 million (£2.4 million) to help with the start-up costs of launching the initiative.

The company, which was founded by the UK, Brazil, France, Norway and Chile in 2006, is an international facility for drug and medication treatment purchases for HIV, Aids and malaria.

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