But drug companies and other technology producers fear that knowledge
about such discounting could lead to a demand for lower prices in rich
countries as well. They have tended to set global prices that are
unaffordable for the citizens of poor countries (as with many AIDS
drugs).
'Part of the battle to establish differential pricing must be won
through consumer education. The citizens of rich countries must
understand that it is only fair for people in developing countries to
pay less for medicines and other critical technology products.' -
stated Ms. Sukaki Fukuda-Parr" the lead author of the Report.
Public declarations issued in Havana, Cuba, in San Jose, Costa Rica in
the late 1990's touted the benefits of free online scholarship for
developing countries. The WHO and the Open Society Institute initiated
HINARI - Health InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative. Peter
Suber, the publisher of the "Free Online Scholarship" newsletter,
summarizes the initiative thus:
"Under the program, the world's six largest publishers of biomedical
journals have agreed to three-tiered pricing. For countries in the
lowest tier (GNP per capita below $1k), online subscriptions are free
of charge.
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