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

Unless a national body already exists, an Advisory Board of 10-15 members
is established by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with UNAIDS, and
includes:
* Representatives of the Ministries of Health and other relevant government
Ministries such as Planning and Finance;
* The National AIDS Programme Manager, as well as representatives of
relevant AIDS authorities in the country;
* A representative of UNAIDS;
* Representatives of NGOs involved in HIV/AIDS care;
* People living with HIV/AIDS;
* Experienced clinicians and academic public heath persons;
* The Manager of the Non-Profit Company (as observer and liaison).
The Non-Profit Company
Pharmaceutical companies participating in the Drug Access Initiative supply
drugs through a Non-Profit Company (NPC) established and registered under
the laws of each participating country. The NPC negotiates subsidies from the
participating suppliers, purchases drugs from those companies, and supplies
drugs to the participating medical centres at the subsidized prices. The
financial mechanism proposed in this Initiative enables pharmaceutical
companies to provide HIV-related drugs at country-specific subsidized prices,
defined separately and independently by each company in discussion with
national officials.
The NPC ensures appropriate and timely supply of drugs, and coordinates
financial transactions in a manner that does not compromise international
competition and open market rules. The supplying companies continue to
assume direct responsibility and liability for their respective products.
The NPC requires only a manager and an administrative assistant, and its
administrative and operating costs are covered by the participating
companies.
Project Management
Project management in each participating country begins with a preliminary
visit from a UNAIDS team to evaluate existing infrastructures and make an
assessment of the tasks and activities to be completed to ensure the

successful establishment of a pilot programme in that country.

9