AIDS conference in Durban
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E-drug: Invitation to a satellite meeting at the XIII International
AIDS conference in Durban
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INVITATION TO A SATELLITE MEETING AT THE XIII INTERNATIONAL AIDS
CONFERENCE IN DURBAN
IMPROVING ACCESS TO HIV/AIDS DRUGS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
9 July 2000, 09:00 -13:30 Durban City Hall
For the first time, the International AIDS Conference will be held on
the African continent and in a country where a significant proportion
of the population has HIV/AIDS. People with HIV/AIDS in South Africa
and in all developing countries are facing a severe crisis of access
to the life-saving medications. The antiretroviral drugs that have
transformed HIV/AIDS from a death sentence to a chronic disease in
developed countries are largely unavailable in developing countries,
priced beyond the means of most people.
UNAIDS, WHO, and a group of pharmaceutical companies recently
announced that they are discussing price reductions for HIV/AIDS
drugs. While this is a positive development, few details or
commitments have been communicated, and many questions remain.
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and the Treatment Action Campaign
(TAC) will host a joint satellite conference at the Durban 2000
International AIDS Conference entitled "Improving Access to HIV/AIDS
Drugs in Developing Countries," at which speakers from Africa, Asia,
Europe, USA and elsewhere will examine the next steps in the fight
for access to care for people with HIV/AIDS, addressing issues of
drug pricing, medical needs, legal and political strategies to widen
access to treatment for HIV/AIDS in developing countries. Case
studies will be presented, and the emphasis will be on practical
information that participants can take back to their countries and
use to advocate for increased access to medicines.
Medecins Sans Frontierres is an international medical organisation
working in more than 80 countries worldwide. In 1999, MSF launched
its Access to Essential Medicines Campaign, which is aimed at
stimulating research and development for neglected diseases,
overcoming barriers to access, and humanizing international trade
agreements.
The Treatment Action Campaign works for access to affordable and
quality treatment for all people with HIV/AIDS in South Africa and
supports the global campaign for access to essential and life-saving
drugs. All the major trade unions federations, religious bodies, the
NGO coalition and children right organisations support the work of
TAC in South Africa.
IMPROVING ACCESS TO HIV/AIDS DRUGS
IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Medecins Sans Frontieres and Treatment Action Campaign
DURBAN 2000 SATELLITE CONFERENCE
09:00=9713:30 DURBAN CITY HALL
REGISTER NOW!
For further information, contact Nkanyezi Nkabinde (Conferenc
Coordinator) at:
717 Colonial Building, 330 West Street (off Mark=92s Lane), Durban 4001;
ph/fax: (031) 304 3673;
email: msf-tac@mweb.co.za or durb2000@tac.org.za
I/We want to register for the Medecins Sans Frontieres/Treatment
Action Campaign Satellite Conference on "Improving Access to HIV/AIDS
Drugs in Developing Countries".
This satellite meeting is free and open to all interested in working on
access to HIV/AIDS treatment.
All information provided below will be treated confidentially.
Surname: ____________________________________________
Name: ____________________________________________
Title: ____________________________________________
Organisation/Company: _________________________________
Mailing Address: Street/Box _________________________________
City ______________ Code _________ Country _____________
Telephone: ____________________________________________
Cell/Mobile: ____________________________________________
Fax: ________________________ E-mail: _____________________________
Please indicate if you need childcare facilities: _______________
Would you like to receive email updates on issues of access to
treatment after the conclusion of the conference? Y / N