E-drug: WHO's response to the CIPLA offer
---------------------------------------------
See http://www.who.int/inf-pr-2001/en/state2001-04.html
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.