Caricom concerned at possible rise in HIV drug prices
Stabroek News
May 5, 2004
Caricom health ministers have expressed concern at a possible rise in the price for HIV drugs and a working group has been set up to tackle the issue.
The Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) at its April month-end meeting in Tobago also agreed to the continued engagement of the Universi-ties of Guyana and the West Indies in project activities in respect of the project for Strengthening the Institu-tional Response to HIV/AIDS/STI in the Caribbean (SIRHASC).
It also agreed that a joint approach should be taken by Caricom/PANCAP (Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS), the Caribbean Regional Network (CRN+) and national authorities to expand national networks of PLWHA (Persons Living with HIV/AIDS).
These are some decisions coming out of the Tenth Meeting of COHSOD on Health, the Environment and Sustainable Development, according to a communique issued by the Caricom Secretariat in Georgetown.
The meeting was convened under the chairmanship of John Rahael, Minister of Health, Trinidad and Tobago, at the Tobago Hilton, Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago.
The April 28-30 meeting was held under the theme 'Investing in Human Re-sources with Special Refer-ence to Health, Sustainable Development and the Environment.'
Guyana was represented by Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy.
The Caribbean Region is facing a major challenge as it now has the highest HIV prevalence rate of any region in the world outside sub-Saharan Africa.
And the total number of new AIDS cases, reflecting limitations in the care and treatment of HIV infected individuals, has continued to increase in the Region over the last ten years. Today, 83 per cent of AIDS cases in the Caribbean are in the most productive age group, from teens to adults in their early 30s.
Moreover, infected persons not only suffer from the disease, but also from the distress caused by the fear and stigma still associated with the disease in many countries of the region.
Anti-Retroviral drugs
Ministers of Health and other health officials expressed deep concern that the cost of Anti-Retroviral drugs (ARVs) could increase significantly by as early as January 2005 when the TRIPS (Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights) Agreement is expected to be implemented.
They noted that under this agreement, countries such as India, from which the region has been accessing ARVs, would have to decide on the position they will adopt regarding the patenting of ARVs. In this regard, the communiqué noted, the COHSOD mandated the establishment of a technical working group to review studies to address the technical and political concerns of the Region as they relate to TRIPS. The COHSOD also agreed that a pilot study should be conducted to determine the challenges and barriers relating to implementing the TRIPS Agreement.
The COHSOD further agreed that the Technical Working Group would act as an advisory body to the Caribbean Regional Nego-tiating Machinery (CRNM) in the development of regional negotiating positions regarding pharmaceuticals and TRIPS.
Guyana is producing its own ARVs via the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Cor-poration and the possibility of sales to other Caricom countries has been under discussion.