[Pharm-policy] Health GAP G8 release (from Genoa)

[James Love]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2001 12:07:18 -0400 (EDT)
From: Paul Davis <pdavis@CritPath.Org>
Reply-To: healthgap@CritPath.Org
To: Multiple recipients of list <healthgap@CritPath.Org>
Subject: Health GAP G8 release (from Genoa)

Contact in Genoa: Asia Russell +1 267 475 2645
or Sharonann Lynch +39 33 577 61 583


Wealthy Countries Seal the Deal: AIDS Treatment Not Worth the Dollars

ACT UP Health GAP Coalition

July 20, 2001
Posted to the web July 20, 2001

Genoa

The G8 announced the launch of the Global AIDS and Health Trust Fund
today in Genoa. "This paltry funding commitment gives us a well-heeled
Condom and Malaria Bednet Trust Fund, but ignores the millions of poor
who are dying without access to affordable AIDS treatment," said Asia
Russell of the Health GAP Coalition.

"The G8 heads of state are refusing to muster the $10 to $7 billion
needed annually to give this Global Fund any hope of offering
sustainable treatment."

Activists say the G8 heads of states' continued silence on debt
cancellation further erodes an already anemic commitment of resources.
"With many developing countries already spending twice the amount on
debt servicing they do on health, these miserly donations will be gone
almost before they are received," said Julie Davids of Health GAP
Coalition. "The G8 must immediately endorse 100% debt cancellation for
poor countries hardest hit by the AIDS catastrophe."

Rich nations' close alliances with the super profitable drug industry
will ignite struggles over use of any monies earmarked for treatment,
activists predict. "The Bush Administration wants to turn the Global
Fund into an unconditional grant underwriting Big Pharma," said
Sharonann Lynch of Health GAP Coalition and ACT UP New York.

"Generic competition-not drug company charity-is the only proven method
that drives prices of antiretroviral drugs down to a level where
millions, not thousands, can receive sustainable, life extending
treatment. The G8 must immediately announce its support for the bulk
purchase of medication from suppliers who provide the best price on the
world market, regardless of drug patent status."

The US Administration is taking an increasingly marginal position on the
issue of drug company patents and access to medications. At a recent
meeting on trade agreements and essential drug access at the World Trade
Organization, the US stood alone in opposition to a bloc of rich and
poor countries-from the Vatican to Zimbabwe-who were calling for an
overhaul of WTO patent protection rules on medicine.

In poor countries, where 90% of people with HIV reside, 20 year drug
company monopolies often block access despite the absence of industry
markets. For example Africa, where 80% of AIDS deaths have occurred,
represents only 1.3% of the booming $400 billion pharmaceutical market.

Health GAP Demands:

- Full funding from wealthy nations for the Global AIDS and Health Fund,
based on projected requirements of $10 to $7 billion per year for
prevention, care, and treatment. - G8 support for the inclusion of
generic drug makers in drug procurement in order to maximize use of
money for treamtment. - G8 support for reform of the WTO's patent rules,
exempting life extending drugs from the patent system for the world's
poor countries and explicitly supporting use of compulsory licensing for
export. - A ban on drug companies and their affliated foundations
participating in the governance board of the Global Fund. - G8 must call
for 100% cancellation of the debt owed by the poorest countries of the
world, using the resources of the IMF and the World Bank.

The Health GAP Coalition is a network of U.S.-based AIDS activists,
public health experts, human rights groups, fair trade advocates and
individuals dedicated to eliminating barriers to access to affordable
life-sustaining medicines for people living with HIV/AIDS in
impoverished countries. Access to medication is a fundamental human
right that supersedes the commercial interests of the pharmaceutical
industry.

Health GAP Coalition: P.O. Box 22439, Philadelphia PA, 19143, USA. o +1
212.674 9598 tel, o +1 215.985.4492 fax. www.globaltreamentaccess.org :
campaign updates, press materials, issue briefs, activist resources,
links www.healthgap.org : for archived press documents and other
campaign materials -- Sharonann Lynch Health GAP Coalition 212-674-9598

Contact in Genoa: Asia Russell +1 267 475 2645 or Sharonann Lynch +39 33
577 61 583