The article discusses how patents for pharmaceuticals affect access to affordable medicines, especially in Africa. It looks at the TRIPS Agreement, which requires countries to grant patents for all types of technology, including pharmaceuticals. Some countries had to change their laws to comply with this agreement. The article examines ways countries can still access affordable medicines, like compulsory licensing and parallel importation. It suggests that existing international laws could be used to interpret the TRIPS Agreement more flexibly. The focus is on helping people in Sub-Saharan Africa facing challenges in accessing necessary medications.