BRICS vow to improve access to low-cost medicine

The BRICS group of emerging countries on Monday vowed to improve access to low-cost and high-quality medicine -- and called on developed nations to shoulder responsibility in helping the poor. Health ministers from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa said they would work with international groups such as the World Health Organization and UNAIDS to provide "affordable, safe and effective technologies". "We are committed to continue to collaborate in order to advance access to public health services and... support other countries in their efforts to promote health for all," the BRICS group said in a statement. The five emerging countries together account for more than 40 percent of the world's population. The gathering in the Chinese capital was the first health minister-level meeting for the BRICS group of nations. 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 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.