WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by the Global AIDS Alliance:
What: A press briefing calling on the government of India to show greater leadership on HIV/AIDS. Experts on AIDS and international trade law will explain how India’s latest actions will undermine global access to affordable medication and jeopardize progress in fighting AIDS in Africa and other regions. The following day, Saturday Feb. 26, is a Global Day of Action to urge India to change course, with protests planned in the US, Europe and India. When: Friday, February 25, 2005 at 11.00 am Where: Global AIDS Alliance, 1225 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 401, Washington DC Speakers include: Professor Brook K. Baker, Northeastern University, expert on International Patent Law Dr. Paul Zeitz, Global AIDS Alliance, Executive Director Dr. Vineeta Gupta, Stop HIV/AIDS Campaign Director, Association for India’s Development
Saturday event at Indian Embassy, “Solidarity Rally with Protests in India”
Who: Activists from India and Africa, AIDS organizations When: Saturday 26, 2005 at 3.30 PM Where: Indian Embassy, 2107 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC (Dupont Circle metro-Q St. Exit)
Background: India is a major source of supply of the world’s generic medicines; it exports two-thirds of its products to developing countries. These exports are critical to the fight against AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and Southern and Southeast Asia. Generic competition fueled by Indian production has been largely responsible for reducing the prices of antiretrovirals by as much as 98%. But, India passed a decree December 26, 2004 that eliminated 35 years of national exemption of medicines from product patent protection. The decree will prevent routine generic production of newer, more expensive “second-line” AIDS medicines. It will also prevent the production of newer medicines for many other public health needs. This decree will be put before the Indian Parliament when it reconvenes on February 26, 2005. To maintain and support India’s important leadership on issues of HIV/AIDS, the Parliament should reject these changes. The Indian government should amend the Patents Act in a manner that does not undermine protections for public health and access to medicines. India should also do much more to ensure its people have access to AIDS testing, counseling, prevention services and treatment on a nationwide basis.
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Dr. Paul S. Zeitz http://profnet.prnewswire.com/ud_public.jsp?userid=485659
Global AIDS Alliance
CONTACT: Vineeta Gupta, +1-202-296-0837, ext. 207, or David Bryden,+1-202-296-0837, ext. 211, or mobile: +1-202-549-3664, both of Global AIDSAlliance
Web site: http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/