HIV/AIDS: confronting the epidemic

Press Release issued by the United States Mission in Geneva

January 31, 2000

Geneva - On Friday, January 28, the United States joined with 31 other nations in drafting a resolution that charts the future course for work on HIV/AIDS by the World Health Organization. After vigorous debate, the WHO Executive Board agreed on language for the resolution that describes how WHO can work with member nations and international organizations on pharmaceutical and health policies, including trade agreements, to increase access to effective prevention and treatment for HIV/AIDS. This is particularly important in the developing countries of sub-Saharan Africa, where 22 million people are infected with HIV, and in south Asia, where 6.5 million people are infected. The full WHO membership will vote on the resolution during the May, 2000, World Health Assembly.

A key US objective during the debate was to pursue dialogue with the pharmaceutical industry and others to increase access to HIV/AIDS drugs by developing cost strategies, financing mechanisms, and effective health care systems that ensure safety and effective use of these drugs.

The United States joined with France, Germany, India, and several African countries including Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic in developing this draft resolution. Such consensus will assist a global approach to a global epidemic.

In addition, the draft resolution requested that WHO become fully involved in the International Partnership Against HIV/AIDS in Africa, which supports direct action at the country level. WHO will also work more closely with UNAIDS, the lead policy agency for global HIV/AIDS efforts.

The WHO Executive Board actions coincide with and support President Clinton's initiative which provided $225 million in FY2000 and pledged another $150 million in FY2001 for collaborative action on HIV/AIDS in Africa and South Asia. With these funds, the US Agency for International Development and the Department of Health and Human Services will expand ongoing activities in Africa in partnership with WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF, other bilateral donors, and host nations. These partnerships are essential to address the projected catastrophic effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa and Asia.

The US Department of Health and Human Services and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) have begun dialogue to insure that US Trade Policy is sufficiently flexible to address health crises such as HIV/AIDS in affected countries. This week, USTR announced its support for providing accessible drugs to countries experiencing health crises. It also declared that it would not challenge any decision made by the Government of Thailand to implement a compulsory license, consistent with the Trade Related Intellectual Property (TRIPS) agreement, for a locally manufactured anti-retroviral drug (ddI), which is still under U.S. patent protection.