E-DRUG: WHO on low cost ARVs
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Statement WHO/04
9 February 2001
NEW OFFERS OF LOW COST ANTI-RETROVIRAL MEDICINES: A STATEMENT FROM THE
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes recent reports that combined
"triple therapy" medication for people with HIV infection and AIDS could be
made available in Africa for a price of $600 (or less) per person per year.
The reduction in the cost of anti-retroviral medicines and other drugs
combating opportunistic infections is one of the key objectives of
accelerating access to effective care for people living with HIV. This
strategy has been pursued by national Governments, the United Nations,
concerned non-governmental organizations and others since 1996.
The cost of medication is one of several factors limiting access to
life-extending care for people living with HIV/AIDS. However, it is
essential that as medicine prices are reduced, increased levels of public
and private funding will become available and that this will lead to more
resources for good quality and well managed clinical care. It will provide
an additional incentive for improving people's access to voluntary
counselling and testing for HIV infection - an important element of
preventing HIV infection.
WHO is working closely with its Member States, the UNAIDS secretariat and
other UN system organizations, together with generic producers as well as
research- based pharmaceutical companies, and with non-governmental groups
(including those representing people living with HIV and AIDS) to
accelerate access to care. The strategy is to pursue a range of options for
lowering the price and ensuring the quality of medicines and diagnostics,
to increase financing of care, to improve distribution of commodities, and
to promote best practice in the provision of services for HIV/AIDS care and
treatment. WHO is exploring financial, regulatory, legal, logistical, and
other practical aspects of propositions made by the different parties
involved in this endeavour. Given the intensity of the concerted efforts
now under-way, WHO anticipates that within the next two years many more
people affected by HIV will have access to effective care.