Re: End of Free Access in Bangladesh

[David Prosser <david.prosser@rluk.ac.uk>]

Having raised this issue on the list I feel that I should offer 
an update and some clarification.

The Lancet (published by Elsevier) has an editorial decrying the 
removal of free access of a number of journals from HINARI for 
researcher in Bangladesh and reporting that both the AAAS and 
Elsevier have now reinstated access:

http://download.thelancet.com/flatcontentassets/pdfs/S0140673611600664.pdf

However, a comment article in the Lancet paints a rather 
depressing picture:

http://download.thelancet.com/flatcontentassets/pdfs/S0140673611600676.pdf

It would appear that a number of the poorest countries in the 
world have had free access removed.  The article also points out 
that Springer offers discounted access, not free access.  I'm 
afraid that I forwarded a note from Springer claiming that access 
was free through the INASP programme.  This was incorrect and I 
apologise for the disinformation.

David