E-DRUG: BBC: Vatican condemns Aids drug firms
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[paediatric ARV dosage forms are often more expensive than the adult tablet
regimens. Paediatric ARVs have also not yet seen the drop in price like the
tablets did. Generic manufacturers are also slow in getting paediatric
dosage forms registered in Africa. Time for a paediatric ARV campaign?
Copied as fair use; WB]
Vatican condemns Aids drug firms
The Vatican has spoken out against pharmaceutical companies which make huge
profits from anti-Aids drugs.
A senior prelate accused companies of allowing millions of children to die
by denying them life-saving drugs purely for reasons of cost.
Archbishop Paul Cordes, who heads a Roman Catholic charity organisation,
spoke at a news conference to mark a seasonal message by Pope John Paul II.
The theme of the Pope's message this year is hardships faced by children.
It focuses on Africa, where millions more are set to die from the Aids
pandemic.
'Scourge'
The papal message, issued to mark the annual Lent period of fasting and
penitence, asked: "What... of the tragedy of Aids and its devastating
consequences in Africa?"
"It is said that millions of persons are now afflicted by this scourge,
many of whom were infected from birth.
"Humanity cannot close its eyes in the face of so appalling a tragedy."
Archbishop Cordes called on international pharmaceutical companies to offer
cheaper drugs to the neediest.
"These children are dying because they don't have medicine," he said.
"There should be public pressure to convince drugs companies to lower the
prices of drugs to treat the victims of Aids."
'Moral issue'
His view was echoed by Father Angelo D'Agostino, a Jesuit priest who runs
an Aids orphanage in Nairobi. He said 400 people died of Aids every day in
Kenya alone, while in Europe and North America it was no longer a fatal
disease.
"Why the difference? It is the genocidal action of the drug cartels who
refuse to make the drugs affordable in Africa even after they reported a
$517bn profit in 2002."
It was a moral issue which showed lack of social conscience on the part of
the international drug manufacturing companies, he added.
The Vatican is calling upon the world's Roman Catholics to help fund the
fight against Aids.
A special Vatican postage stamp is being issued, the proceeds from which
will go direct to support the Kenyan orphanage.
The Pope's message also urged Catholics to defend children from all forms
of exploitation and violence by adults, including sexual abuse, forced
prostitution, involvement in drug trafficking, forced combat and organ
trafficking.
It did not mention a recent sex abuse scandal in the United States, where
several bishops have resigned and hundreds of priests have been suspended.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/3442217.stm
Published: 2004/01/29 17:06:29 GMT
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