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

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 Coaltion.

"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