UNAIDS HIV Drug Access Initiative: Providing Wider Access to HIV-related Drugs in Developing Countries, Pilot Phase

The UNAIDS HIV Drug Access Initiative at a Glance

INTRODUCTION
Launched in November 1997, the UNAIDS HIV Drug Access Initiative is
designed to develop innovative, effective models to improve access to
needed drugs to treat HIV, its opportunistic infections, and sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) in the developing world. The Initiative is being
conducted as a pilot project in two phases, lasting a total of four to five years.
In the initial phase, lasting two to three years, the project is being
implemented in a small number of countries. In phase II, the lessons learned
in the pilot phase will be adapted and applied more widely. The project is
being evaluated on an ongoing basis. The countries participating in the initial
phase of the Initiative are Chile, C6te d'lvoire, Uganda, and Viet Nam.
The Initiative seeks to address the many challenges of developing world drug
access, such as lack of medical infrastructure, drug distribution channels,
professional training, and patient support, by creating an environment of
collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, health care providers,
governments, donors, non-governmental organizations, and people living with
HIV/AIDS.
Implementation of the Initiative in each country involves the establishment of
a National HIV Drug Policy, coordinated by a National Advisory Board made
up of local government and NGO representatives, medical experts, and a
representative of UNAIDS. Drugs are purchased from participating
companies at a subsidized rate by a non-profit company established in each
participating country, and the project is managed in each country by a Project
Management Team. These ensure the consistent supply and rational use of
HIV drugs provided through the Initiative.
Drugs are paid for through participating governments, donors, and by
individuals through private purchase. Funding for the programme
infrastructure, which builds on existing infrastructure and projects in the
participating countries, is provided by UNAIDS, its Cosponsors, and other
donors.
Pharmaceutical partners in the UNAIDS Initiative include Glaxo Wellcome plc,
F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Virco NV, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Organon Teknika,
Merck and Co., and Dupont Pharma, with discussions with other companies
ongoing. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the French government's
Agence Nationale de Recherche sur le SIDA (ANRS) have also committed
financial support for project evaluation.

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