AIDS TREATMENTS IN AFRICA

 

 

 Pharmaceutical companies have been widely criticized for not making their treatments accessible to patients in third world nations. Until recently, it seemed that the criticisms were falling on deaf ears. Now however, due in large part to pressure from AIDS activists, some companies are making an effort to get treatments to African countries.

 

Bristol-Meyers Squibb Establishes an AIDS Research Program

 

The pharmaceutical company, Bristol-Myers Squibb is launching a $100 million program implementing AIDS research and training in five Sub-Saharan African Countries: Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, and South Africa. The company, which manufactures three AIDS drugs, believes the program will have more long range benefits for the nations than just a massive drug donation. Their program will include:

Financing outside research addressing the most effective approach to fighting AIDS in each of the five countries

Researching the most cost effective drug treatments

Testing drug combinations on 20,000 people with AIDS and charting their progress over five years

Researching the impact of other variables on AIDS (such as nutrition)

Provide African doctors with fellowships to study at the Baylor College of Medicine

Provide fellowships for American doctors to work in Africa

By creating this program, Bristol-Myer Squibb is initiating relationships with countries with a huge potential client base. People recognize the possible economic motivation behind the program, yet applaud the effort nevertheless. Many humanitarian groups hope that other companies will launch similar programs to help combat AIDS in Africa.

 

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 Pfizer to Donate AIDS Drugs to South Africa

 

The Pfizer company is discussing the logistics of a large scale drug donation to South Africa. Pfizer manufactures a drug that treats cryptoccocal meningitis, a brain infection that kills 10% of HIV patients in Africa. The donation is said to be similar to a donation the company made in America-- donating the drug treatment to one million HIV patients that could not otherwise afford it.

 

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Page created by Sarah Heimel '00 and Amy Koler '02