AIDS Conference Urges End to Discrimination and Drug Profits

The 6th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific wrapped up Wednesday in Melbourne with a call for an end to religious and traditional barriers that prevent people with HIV from getting proper treatment. AIDS workers also asked drug companies to put care before profit to help turn back the HIV pandemic that is sweeping the Asia-Pacific region.

"Many governments, religious leaders, educational institutions and even [nongovernmental organizations] refuse to acknowledge the existence of groups particularly vulnerable to HIV infection, such as drug users, sex workers, men who have sex with men, ethnic minorities, transgendered people," said Rob Moodie, chair of the congress. Co-chair Dennis Altmann added, "Many of the countries represented -- such as India and China -- also face other potentially crippling problems such as endemic poverty, hugely mobile populations and other diseases such as TB and malaria."

International AIDS Society President Stefano Vella said drug companies should relinquish patent rights to allow cheaper generic drugs to be sold. "The prices of antiretroviral drugs represent a major factor for the lack of access to therapy in developing countries," he said. "This cost should be met by the wealthy countries."

However, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said international trade agreements on patents for HIV/AIDS drugs should be followed. "Obviously we would like to feel these drugs can be made available at the lowest possible price, but that has to be done in a way that is consistent with international law, and it has to be an appropriate regime to make it possible."

Also during the conference, Nick Crofts of the Macfarlane Burnett Center, Australia's largest virology and communicable disease research institute, called for better treatment of drug addicts in Asia, home to half the world's intravenous drug users. "They are perceived as the least deserving, anti-social," he said.

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