In this episode of Make Medicines Affordable, Tracy Swan speaks with Mari Chokheli, consultant and project coordinator at TB People in Georgia, and Veriano Terto Jr, public health researcher and longtime HIV/AIDS activist from Brazil, about how the fight for access to medicines is evolving in a rapidly changing world. Reflecting on the 2025 global ITPC summit, they discuss the impact of rising authoritarianism, shrinking civil society space, and major funding cuts on health, advocacy, and human rights.

Veriano explores how global inequality, exposed by COVID-19, continues to limit access to treatment, while Mari shares a powerful, on-the-ground perspective from Georgia, where political unrest is directly affecting activism and healthcare priorities. Despite these challenges, both highlight the importance of solidarity, community resilience, and growing collaboration among activists. This episode connects the dots between health, democracy, and justice and shows why the fight for affordable medicines is more urgent than ever.