Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
|
|
United Press International - Thursday, July 11, 2002
Ed Susman, UPI Science News
In a talk at the 14th International AIDS Conference, Clinton said developing nations of the world should enter into agreements with pharmaceutical companies to provide the drugs, and the two nations should make up the difference between the costs of those drugs and what the Caribbean nations can provide.
"The rich countries should figure out what they owe and they should commit to pay it, and pay it in a timely fashion," Clinton said in a forum of former and present leaders from around the world.
The comments were greeted with thunderous applause, in sharp contract to jeers and shouts that greeted U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson, whose speech Tuesday was drowned out by protesters.
Clinton noted 15 Caribbean nations entered into an agreement with pharmaceutical companies during the conference and that was the first step toward getting commitments from the richer nations. "Give us something specific," he urged.
On the same forum, Dr. Denzil Douglas, prime minister of the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts-Nevis, said during the meeting he had signed agreements with a consortium of six drug companies to provide medications that can turn the deadly killer AIDS into a chronic disease.
Clinton, clearly a favorite of the crowd along with former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell, proposed a three-step program to allow the developing nations to obtain the drugs they need to save their populations:
-- First, he said, try to get a decent, livable price agreed to with the pharmaceutical companies.
-- If that proves unworkable, Clinton suggested the countries go to India and Brazil where generic drugs are being produced.
-- Then, he said, the appeal should be made to the rich countries to pick up the balance.
"The U.S. and Canada should provide for the money for the Caribbean," he said.
Also on the podium were past or present leaders of India, Rwanda, Mozambique, Tanzania and Portugal.
020711
UP020719
Copyright © 2002 - United Press International. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through United Press International, Permissions Desk, 1510 H St. N.W. Washington DC 2005. Main Phone Switchboard: 202-898-8000 FAX: 202-898-8057 or 202-898-8147 Email: info@upi.com.
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 UK, 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 2002. 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, 2002. 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. .