Zimbabwe Acts to Obtain AIDS Drugs at Low Prices

In a move that allows it to sidestep patents on essential drugs and import generic substitutes, Zimbabwe has declared its HIV epidemic a national emergency. Advocates and experts say they believe that Zimbabwe is the first country to use international trade regulations devised to cut the costs of antiretroviral AIDS drugs. The nation's HIV infection rate is one of the world's highest. Advocates say the government's action may encourage other countries, particularly in Africa, to follow suit.

Wary of antagonizing pharmaceutical companies and confusing international investors, many African countries have been reluctant to take advantage of the trade rules. But the World Trade Organization's meeting last November emboldened developing nations by demystifying the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of International Property Rights. Nations were told they could decide for themselves what constitutes a national emergency. With its image already sullied by two years of political turmoil and at least 25 percent of its adults HIV-positive, Zimbabwe has little to lose by declaring an emergency.

Last month, Zimbabwe was awarded almost $23 million over the next two years from the new Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Deputy Health Minister Dr. David Parirenyatwa said the money will be spent on antiretroviral drugs, among other needs.

GlaxoSmithKline manufactures AZT, Combivir and at least three of the eight other AIDS drugs under patent in Zimbabwe, according to the Consumer Project on Technology, a Washington advocacy group. A spokesperson said Zimbabwe had been offered the company's lowest price for its AIDS drugs, but that she could not say whether any drugs had been sold at that price. Even the marked-down price can still be far out of reach of poor countries.

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