News Briefs South Africa: AIDS Activists Intensify Campaign for Free Antiretroviral DrugsApril 18, 2003 South African AIDS activists vowed Wednesday to intensify
their campaign against pharmaceutical companies that refuse to
provide antiretrovirals at no cost. The National Association of
People Living with AIDS launched its "Black Easter Campaign,"
which threatens to disrupt workflow at pharmaceutical companies,
reported the South African Press Association. "Pharmaceutical
companies have a responsibility to provide treatment for
opportunistic infections and antiretroviral drugs," a statement
by NAPWA said. The campaign will kick off with demonstrations at
the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association's offices in
Johannesburg, and will escalate into a nationwide boycott should
the company's response be unacceptable, said Nkululeko Nxesi,
national director of NAPWA. Last Easter, group members camped
outside the office of a pharmaceutical company to draw attention
to their grievances. "We feel that pharmaceutical companies did
not honor their pledge to look at our demands and this is why we
are intensifying our campaign," Nxesi said.
Adapted from:Associated Press 04.16.03 This article was provided by CDC National Prevention Information Network. It is a part of the publication CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update.
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