Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - December 1, 2003
"The World Health Organization's groundbreaking 'three-by-five' plan to provide ARVs will truly be a lifeline for millions of HIV-infected individuals and families around the world who are desperately in need of treatment," said Michael Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation President. "We applaud WHO's efforts to try and rapidly deploy these life-saving treatments in the developing world and we are confident that as more and more people worldwide are brought into treatment and we begin to break the chain of infection, the issues regarding possible patent infringement and other operational details of 'three-by-five' may be readily and amicably resolved."
According to a recent article in the Washington Post, WHO's 'three-by-five' plan will rely initially on widespread use of "a 'fixed-dose' three-in-one generic combination pill [that] is easy-to-use and affordable and could be used to effectively treat about 80% of patients," and will "recommend treating patients at the first sign of AIDS-related illnesses, instead of waiting for tests to confirm that a patient is HIV-positive." WHO may also seek to allow, "nurses and community organizations to dispense antiretroviral drugs," streamlining both the supply and delivery sides of these potentially life-saving medications in the developing world.
"80 percent of three million is 2,400,000," added Weinstein. "To think that almost a quarter of a million people worldwide could be on treatment -- effectively on treatment -- by 2005 is remarkable and we should all try and ensure that this landmark World Health Organization program succeeds."
AIDS Healthcare Foundation is the largest specialized provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the United States. AHF serves thousands of patients in California, New York and Florida regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. In addition, the AHF Global Immunity program currently also operates three free AIDS treatment clinics in the developing world: in South Africa, the Ithembalabantu (Zulu for "people's hope") Clinic in KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa; Uganda, the Uganda Cares Healthcare Center in Masaka, Uganda; and Honduras, the Siempre Unidos Clinic in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
SOURCE AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Web Site: http://www.aidshealth.org
031201
PR031205
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