African HIV: more research needed, says Mandela

According to Nelson Mandela, further research is required into the effects of antiretroviral drugs among African populations before they can be prescribed as a frontline HIV treatment. This is a good idea, but it is unlikely that the African market is large enough for drug makers to justify additional trials from a revenue standpoint. Instead, international financial support will be needed.

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Biopure: sterile oxygen therapeutic set for success

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Boehringer Ingelheim: free antivirals for developing countries

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Cipla: lobbying for more generics in South Africa

Generics maker Cipla is trying to cut a deal to supply South African mining firm Anglo American with HIV drugs. Employer provision of HIV medicine is gaining popularity in South Africa, and last year's court case created the opportunity for the government to license generic versions of patented drugs. However, it has so far been reluctant to use this power.

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Glaxo Wellcome: defending AZT in South Africa

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HIV patents: no solution - yet

While the WTO has not yet made a breakthrough on the issue of patent-free HIV drugs for developing economies, something must be done to alleviate the human and economic cost of the HIV epidemic. Western pharma companies will inevitably lose out - the only question is how well their profit maintenance strategies can cushion the blow.

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HIV/AIDS: World Bank gives warning

The World Bank has warned the South African government of a potential long-term economic collapse if the HIV/AIDS crisis is not appropriately addressed. Although officials and analysts have criticized the World Bank's statement, this should not be an excuse for complacency on the part of the government.

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South African antiretrovirals: pharma players need a persuasive argument

As the second South African AIDS conference gets underway in Durban, the country's health minister has reopened the controversy over HIV/AIDS treatment by casting doubt on the benefits of antiretroviral drugs. Though some progress has been made in overcoming the financial obstacles to ARV deployment, it is clear that winning patients' trust in the treatment could prove extremely tough.

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