Sources and prices of selected HIV & diagnostics for PLWHA

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New Report from UNICEF, UNAIDS, WHO and Médecins Sans Frontières

Sources and prices of selected drugs and diagnostics for people living

with HIV/ AIDS - May 2001

http://www.supply.unicef.dk/insideSD/hivaids.htm

Of the more than 36 million people living with HIV/AIDS today, over 95% live

in developing countries. Many of them do not have access to even the basic

drugs needed to treat HIV-related infections and other conditions. In many

of the poorest countries, essential drugs including painkillers, antibiotics,

and tuberculosis drugs are in desperately short supply.

The high price of many AIDS drugs - especially antiretroviral drugs - is one of

the main barriers to their availability in developing countries. However, even

where cheaper alternatives exist, many decision-makers do not have the

information they need to identify manufacturers which can supply these drugs.

They require easier access to comparative prices.

This report sets out to provide that data -- market information that can be used

to help government procurement agencies make informed decisions on the source of

drugs and serve as the basis for negotiating affordable prices. The aim is to

help increase access to drugs for people in developing countries living with

HIV/AIDS.

The report is based on a survey of over 200 pharmaceutical manufacturers in 40

countries world wide. It is the latest in a series of reports launched in 2000

and issued twice a year by UNICEF, UNAIDS, WHO, and Médecins Sans Frontières.