[Pharm-policy] HAI press release on WHA HIV/AIDS resolution

[Thiru Balasubramaniam]

Lisa Hayes (HAI Europe) posted this on ip-health.

Thiru
-------------------------------------
Dear Friends,

Attached you will find a copy of HAI's press release on the outcome of
the HIV/AIDS debate at the just-concluded World Health Assembly which
took place in Geneva last week.

Best wishes,
Lisa Hayes
HAI Europe

-------------------------
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

- END -