That would eliminate the shameful asymmetry that is reflected in the unbalanced health statistics that differentiate the various segments of our populations.

Whereas HIV was initially perceived as a health issue, today it is increasingly recognized as a cross-cutting issue of development, security and human rights that impacts differentially on all segments of the population.

For various reasons - such as inadequate accounting and control measures, risk of fraud and corruption or a general reluctance to introduce what might constitute a differential tax on segments of society for public services - some Governments are wary of permitting independent bodies to raise funding from alternative sources.

A report by a World Health Organization (WHO) commission states, “As regards parallel trade between developed countries, taken as a group, and developing countries, taken as a group, there is little doubt that restrictions on parallel imports, which exist in the laws of most developed countries, are beneficial as they help to preserve price differentials through market segmentation that potentially benefit developing countries, and help maintain lower prices in those countries”.

Geographical Indications: Under Article 22.1 of the TRIPS Agreement, geographical indications “identify a good as originating in the territory of a [WTO] member, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographic origin.” Like trademarks, they allow producers to differentiate themselves and segment the market, thus achieving higher returns, if consumers are willing to pay a price premium for their distinct product.