Pan-African Treatment Access Movement (PATAM) Press release 1 December 2003 On this World Aids Day, the Pan-African Treatment Access Treatment Movement (PATAM), a grassroots social movement for access to anti-retroviral therapy and other essential medicines extends a hand to our grandparents, brothers, sisters, friends and many others in our communities who relentlessly bear the brunt of the epidemic with unending fortitude. They are the ones whose attention does not stray away from those who lie immobile, as their bodies slowly succumb to the wiles of the HI virus. They are the young who are forced to stop attending school so that they can look after their even younger brothers and sisters because mum and dad have long died of Aids. We salute you! In assessing the state of HIV/AIDS in the world towards the end of 2003, a joint report by the UNAIDS and World Health Programme (WHO) castes a rather grim picture noting that: "Sub-Saharan Africa remains by far the region worst-affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In 2003, an estimated 26.6 million people in this region were living with HIV, including the 3.2 million who became infected during the past year. AIDS killed approximately 2.3 million people in 2003." It is indeed obvious that the pandemic is wreaking havoc in our communities as is evidenced in the anguish too harrowing to wish on our worst enemies as day after day funerals claim the young and most promising in our villages, in our townships and even in the exclusive neighbourhoods of those among us who have ?made it." We do not wish though to dwell on these images but prefer to take note of the many encouraging gains made largely due to the tireless efforts. We need to focus our attention on renewed commitment to ensure that those who need anti-retroviral therapy receive it without prejudice. In the past half-year we have seen actions that present much hope to those living with HIV. We highlight a few: * Recognition that Intellectual Property Rights Undermine Public Health Needs Days before the official opening of the World Trade OrganisationfÓs (WT0) Fifth Ministerial Conference in Cancun, Mexico a compromise decision was reached by trade ministers stipulating that member states of the WTO with no manufacturing capacity facing public health crises could import generic medicines manufactured in a secondary country where the medicines are patented.The agreement also recognises that economies of scale are critical in driving down prices so therefore permits countries within a regional trade agreement to export medicines produced locally or imported under a compulsory license to other members, even if the quantity of exports outweighs the quantity of medicines imported or produced for local demand. Though there are numerous problems lurking in the detail of the agreement such as onerous conditions that have be to be imposed before importation will be permitted, this is a small victory in a larger struggle. We take note of CanadafÓs brave step as the first wealthy country to give effect to this decision by introducing legislation to amend its patent act to enable it to export generic medicines to poor countries. We strongly urge Canada to move faster to allow the newly passed legislation to be immediately translated into provision of generic medications for all who need them. * Reduction in Drug prices As a result of enormous pressure by activists, major pharmaceutical companies have reduced drug prices to levels close to those charged by generic drug manufacturers. Similarly, towards the end of October, the Clinton Foundation announced it had brokered a landmark deal with four generic drug companies that would bring down the cost of triple therapy drug combinations to under $140 per person per year in African and Caribbean countries. While these changes are welcome, we are not put pressure to ensure further reductions. * Increased Political Will Across the continent there have been encouraging actions by governments and others in positions of influence that suggest that the pandemic is receiving the serious attention it demands. Treatment is now generally accepted as a requisite component in a comprehensive response to HIV/Aids. We especially flag the recent announcement by the South African government that it had accepted an operational plan for the rollout of anti-retroviral medicines, which is envisaged will be one of the largest public sector programmes in the world by 2010. This is commendable on two counts. First South Africa has the highest infection rates in the world with 5.3 million people estimated to be living with HIV. Secondly, as a one of the most influential countries on the continent this sends an excellent signal to other African nations. * Mushrooming of Grassroots Social Movements Over the last year individuals from all walks of life but especially those most infected and affected by the pandemic have come together to form a formidable force advocating for treatment access. The diversity of membership consisting of activists from trade unions, groups of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWAs), community-based organisations, faith-based formations and many more is a clear indicator that Aids is now more than ever everyone's struggle. We hold no illusion that the struggle ahead is difficult, but failure is not an option. We will overcome. We ask our allies across the world to stand steadfast with us as they do now and invite all who understand that the struggle for treatment access is fundamentally one about the sanctity of life and therefore one about a vision for a more equitable and just world to join us. A luta continua! For Further Information Contact the PATAM Steering Group Lubna El Tabei Tel: +20-10-669-3346 Egypt Delme Cupido Tel: +264-61-223-356 Namibia Othoman Mellouk Tel: +212-66-45-28-11 Morocco Moyo Matilda Tel: +263-11-702-205 Zimbabwe James Kamau Tel: +254-722-886-694 Kenya Grace Muro Tel: + 255-22-211-7088 Tanzania Djueche Sylanie Laurie Tel: +237-775-6993 Cameroon Ambroise Mamona Tel: +242-213-036 Congo Brazzaville Ako Cyriaque Tel: +225-235-04927 Cote d'Ivoire Rolake Nwagwu Tel: +234-1-773-1457 Nigeria