E-drug: HAI press release on outcome of 53rd WHA
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Dear Friends,
The 53rd World Health Assembly has now concluded and there are some good
things to report. Below you will find a press release just issued by HAI
which describes some of the positive language included in the resolution on
HIV/AIDS.
With best wishes,
Lisa Hayes
HAI Europe
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HEALTH ACTION INTERNATIONAL
Press Release
22 MAY 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HAI supports developing countries demand for greater WHO involvement
in the fight against HIV/AIDS
A large coalition of developing countries led a successful effort to
increase the World Health Organization�s (WHO) role in advising countries
about best treatment options for HIV/AIDS and ways to reduce barriers
affecting drug pricing and access at last week�s 53rd World Health Assembly
which concluded on Saturday, 20 May 2000.
A group of developing countries, led by Brazil and Zimbabwe, pushed to
broaden WHO�s field of activities related to HIV/AIDS despite strong
opposition from many developed countries including the United States and
some members of the European Union.
�Developing countries made it clear at the Assembly this year that they
were not going to back down to Northern pressures on this issue,� said Bas
van der Heide, coordinator of HAI Europe. �WHO�s involvement in identifying
ways to improve affordability and access must now live up to developing
countries� expectations-and needs.�
The approved resolution also calls on the WHO to expand its current
databases to include information on the prices of many crucial medicines,
including HIV/AIDS drugs. The resolution�s clear language on drug pricing
caused tension during the Assembly in light of countries� mixed response to
an earlier announcement by UNAIDS that five drug companies planned to
consider price reductions on selected HIV/AIDS medicines in some countries.
HAI believes such efforts are only short-term solutions that will have
little impact on getting needed drugs to the poorest people.
�This is the first time the WHO has been urged to look at the crucial issue
of drug pricing,� said Van der Heide. �With that information in hand,
countries can assess industry offers and can use hard-won legal options to
find and negotiate the best prices for the drugs they need.�
At the Assembly, developing countries also urged the WHO to play an active
role in advising countries on the public health implications of
international trade agreements. During a discussion on the Revised Drug
Strategy, numerous countries urged the WHO to guard its independent voice
when giving countries� advice on health-related aspects of trade after some
developed countries led by the US signalled they would support an initiative
that would force the WHO to clear any advice on trade issues with other
international organisations including the World Trade Organization (WTO) and
the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
In the HIV/AIDS resolution and in their formal remarks, developing country
representatives also emphasised the need to encourage local manufacturing,
greater use of generic drugs and legal import practices-all means to bring
down prices and help improve access to essential drugs.
For more information, contact:
Lisa Hayes, Communications Director, HAI Europe
Tel: 31-20-683 3684
Fax: 31-20-685 5002
E-mail: lisa@hai.antenna.nl
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