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Introduction -- Patent policy, access to medicines, and the regulatory theory of patent rights -- The interface between patent rights and the right to health under international human rights law -- Incorporating a model of human rights into the adjudication of pharmaceutical patent cases (part one) : Kenya as a case study -- Incorporating a model of human rights into the adjudication of pharmaceutical patent cases (part two) : South Africa as a case study -- Incorporating a model of human rights into the adjudication of pharmaceutical patent cases (part three) : India as a case study -- Conclusion.

Recent years have seen significant advances in the science of using antiretroviral medicines (ARVs) to fight HIV. Where not long ago ARVs were used late in disease to prevent sick people from dying, today people living with HIV can use ARVs to achieve viral suppression early in the course of disease. This article reviews the mounting new scientific evidence of major clinical and prevention ARV benefits. This has changed the logic of the AIDS response, eliminating competition between 'treatment' and 'prevention' and encouraging early initiation of treatment for individual and public health benefit. These breakthroughs have implications for the health-related human rights duties of States. With medical advance, the 'highest attainable standard' of health has taken a leap, and with it the rights obligations of States. We argue that access to early treatment for all is now a core State obligation and restricting access to, or failing to provide accurate information about, it violates both individual and collective rights. In a context of real political and technical challenges, however, in this article we review the policy implications of evolving human rights obligations given the new science. National and international legal standards require action on budget, health and intellectual property policy, which we outline. Adapted from the source document.

Legal medicine, the application of medical opinions and knowlege to judicial proceedings, represents a convergence of the ideas of the medical and legal professions, both of which were male dominated. Focuses on 2 areas, today called 'human rights issues', which pertain to women: generation and rights and duties. Discusses: (1) prohibition of marriage, (2) rape, (3) conception, (4) abortion and infanticide. (JLN)