Why people with HIV are let to die - Analysing medical ethics, drug patents and activism

Abstract: In this essay it will be analysed why people in need of HIV-medicine do not get access to them, which has so far resulted in millions of seemingly unnecessary deaths. It will be discussed what responsibilities scientists have and what people can or should do to claim rights to medicine. It is found that the main reason is the patent system, which allocates power from states to companies. To a high degree rich states are however ultimately accountable and also the citizens in those countries. Economic theory is used to analyse the economic effects of the system. This leads, among other things, to the conclusion that the patent system is dangerous according to economic principles and that those principles can explain why people have not had access to medicine. From the conclusions it seems like a good idea is to distinguish life-saving treatments from the medical industry and increase state intervention.