U.S. Enacts AIDS, TB and Malaria Bill; and EC Hosts Roundtable on Access to Medicines for Developing Countries
UNITED STATES
President Bush signed the “US Leadership Against AIDS, TB and Malaria” into law on May 27 at a ceremony at the State Department. The legislation provides $15 billion over five years for the worldwide prevention and treatment of AIDS, TB and malaria.
The legislation authorizes the spending of $15 billion over five years. It also would allow, but not require, the administration to contribute up to $1 billion in 2004 to the international Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The package recommends that 55 percent of direct aid go to treatment programs, 20 percent to prevention, 15 percent to palliative care and 10 percent to children orphaned by the disease. Congress must still approve real spending levels in its annual budget appropriations.
The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development is featured in the bill as one of the organizationsworking to expand and improve TB control efforts through the development of new, faster TB medicines.
EUROPE
On April 28, the European Commission hosted a roundtable on access to medicines for developing countries, including how to boost research and development for new medicines.
European Commission President Romano Prodi said,“The European Commission has taken the lead in trying to find ways of making sure people in poor countries get the essential medicines they need. We have made headway thanks to our Programme of Action, but not it’s time for all stakeholders to take stock and plan ahead.”
In February 2001 the Commission adopted a Programme for Action (COM 2001/96) which lays down the EU strategy in the fight against communicable disease. An update of the programme including the challenges ahead was adopted in February 2003.