Low prices for HIV drugs are only one step forward

doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7435.349-d

BMJ 2004;328:349-350 (7 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7435.349-d

Letter

Low prices for HIV drugs are only one step forward

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—Anything that cuts the price of drugs for HIV treatmentis potentially beneficial to people with HIV infection in thedeveloping world, as, for example, the recent deal from theWorld Health Organization.¹ But it remains only one step ona long path.

In many developing countries, the health systems have brokendown. Infrastructure and skills through which to deliver complexhealth care are lacking. Education levels frustrate the mosteffective use of complex treatments, owing to inappropriatesharing of medication or lack of compliance, phenomena alsoto be found in Western populations. The risk is that, by focusingso much attention on the price of complex medicines, we willoverlook the massive investment needed in developing countriesfighting HIV.

However, without massive state aid, international stabilisation,and reduced weapons sales, better access to medicines, whichmay be unaffordable for many even at their lowest future price,is . . . [Full text of this article]

Peter A West, director

York Health Economics Consortium, University of York YO10 5NH paw11@york.ac.uk