The Harry Street Lecture 2025: Access to Life-saving Medication for All?
Access to Life-saving Medication for All? Positive Obligations, Corporations, and Fundamental Rights
Join us for the 37th Annual Harry Street Lecture as our guest speaker, Professor David Bilchitz delves into a critical contemporary issue: the accessibility of life-saving medications.
Using the recent National Institute for Health Care and Excellence (NICE) decision regarding the use of breast cancer drug Enhertu in the NHS as a compelling case study, the lecture will question the current media focus on the government's obligations and instead shift the focus to the responsibilities of pharmaceutical companies to make life-saving drugs available at affordable prices.
The lecture will be hybrid, those attending online will be sent a separate Zoom link closer to the event.
Lecture Highlights:
- Examination of pharmaceutical corporations' responsibilities
- Innovative analytical framework for determining corporate positive obligations
- Discussion of potential legal mechanisms to ensure access to essential medications
- Insights from a leading constitutional law expert and recently appointed Acting Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa
The lecture will run for roughly 45 minutes followed by a Q&A and drinks reception starting at 6.30pm. Online attendees will be able to submit questions via the Zoom chat function and a member of staff will read them to Professor Bilchitz on your behalf.
About the Speaker:
Professor David Bilchitz is a distinguished legal scholar with an exceptional international reputation. His recent appointment as an Acting Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa marks a significant milestone in his distinguished career. With extensive publications on fundamental rights, socio-economic justice, and constitutional law, Professor Bilchitz brings unparalleled expertise to this critical discussion.
Planning your visit:
ACCESSIBILITY: Please contact soss.externalrelations@manchester.ac.uk should you have any access requirements.The building is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible toilet on the second floor. Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the male Basement and Fourth Floor standard toilets, and in the female First floor and Third Floor standard toilets.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS: Please contact soss.externalrelations@manchester.ac.uk if you have any allergens or specific dietary requirements.
IMAGE AND VIDEO CONSENT: There may be photographs/videos taken at the event. If you do not wish to be in any images, please make University staff aware at the event.
- Hosted by the University of Manchester Law School*
- This event is free and open to the public*
Speaker
Professor David Bilchitz
Role: Professor of Fundamental Rights and Constitutional Law
Organisation: University of Johannesburg
Travel and Contact Information
Find event
Theatre B
Roscoe Building
Manchester
