Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
|
|
Agence France Presse (12.18.04) - Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Bernard Taverne, a doctor at the Senegal-based Development Research Institute, said the declaration's name "is a twist on the World Health Organization's three by five" goal of providing antiretroviral drugs to 3 million people in developing countries by 2005. Like the drugs, HIV testing and hospital care should also be free, "because it's a complete set," said Taverne. "If a bit doesn't work, the whole thing falls apart."
The Free by Five statement says: "While the market price of drugs is coming down, many AIDS patients in developing countries die because they cannot afford their contribution to the cost of treatment." Stephen Lewis, UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa and a signatory of the statement, agreed. "For many, [ARV] treatment is literally the difference between life and death. But if the drugs are not offered free, the poorest people won't benefit."
The Free by Five campaign noted that just 440,000 of the 5.5 million HIV-positive people worldwide in need of treatment have access to it. According to the statement, no more than 4 percent of Africans living with HIV/AIDS are receiving ARVs.
041221
AD042596
Copyright © 2004 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
.