Clinton Makes A Deal For AIDS Patients

(AP)  Former President Bill Clinton and two Indian pharmaceutical companies have struck an agreement to cut prices of HIV and AIDS treatment for children, making the lifesaving drugs far more accessible worldwide.

That's according to the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative, a charity set up by Mr. Clinton, which says the companies will supply drugs for HIV-positive children at prices as low as 16 cents a day, which amounts to less than $60 a year.

The foundation says the deal will enable an additional 100,000 HIV-positive children in 62 countries to receive treatment in 2007.

Mr. Clinton was to announce the deal in a speech at a New Delhi children's hospital Thursday at the launch of a new national program by the Indian government to treat HIV-positive children. World AIDS Day is Friday.

Under the agreement, the two companies - Cipla Ltd. and Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. - will supply 19 different antiretroviral formulations for prices about 45 percent less than the lowest current rates for these drugs in developing countries.

"Though the world has made progress in expanding HIV/AIDS treatment to adults, children have been left behind. Only one in 10 children who needs treatment is getting it," said Mr. Clinton, in a statement.

In January, the former president negotiated the reduction of prices of rapid HIV tests and anti-AIDS drugs for adults. Several Indian firms were involved in that deal, too.

Under the deal, countries including France, Brazil, Chile, Norway and Britain will provide $35 million and the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative will contribute $15 million.

The drugs will be supplied to the countries where the children live, for distribution through public health and HIV/AIDS prevention programs.

Mr. Clinton is to make his announcement at the Kalawati Saran Hospital, one of New Delhi's busiest hospitals for children. India, with 5.7 million HIV-positive people, has the highest number of cases in the world.

The new India-specific deal to be announced Thursday would provide HIV treatment for 10,000 Indian children by March 2007 by adding pediatric care to all adult HIV and AIDS treatment centers in the country.

Clinton, whose two-year appointment as U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special tsunami envoy ends Dec. 31, is visiting India, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia - among the countries hardest hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami that killed more than 216,000 people in 12 countries in December 2004.

[kemetorigin]

Thank you squiz2!!!

Political parties foment divisiveness and distrust. It is sad that in the US pharmaceutical companies take advantage of our insurance systems, government and disposable income through exorbitant drug pricing. Thank you President Clinton for using your voice, power, and time to bring about positive changes in this world.

[squiz2]

Why the hell does it matter if the foundation was created by republicans or democrats? As long as there ARE foundations that help those in need, why should it matter if it was Bush's idea or Clinton's? Stop finding reasons to belly-ache about political differences. As long as there are ANY politicians actually doing something to combat AIDS, we should be f'ing happy. Sometimes you need to look at the big picture and appreciate it, not rip it apart.

[jimibear]

Republians are only interested in lining their own pockets. Putting "extraneous", "unnecessary" quotes around "what you say" doesn't make it less "false and stupid". Name brand drugs are being purchsed (still at a large profit, but not the financial rape perpetrated on us at home) from the pharmaceutical companies in the US who donate generously to the Republican party.

The Republicans are the party of big money, supported by big money and dedicated to even bigger money. Bush is a "thief", a "liar", an "incompetent", and if you can't see that, you are an "idiot".

Shove that up your apostrophe, pal. The "liberal MSM wolfpack" does not exist. The "corrupt" body is the Bush mis-adminsistration.

[perception5]

nolalou, I sorry that you don't agree with "every" aspect of the President Bush's program. The bottom line is our corrupt press is more interested in "maintaining" this "false" persception that Democrats and not Republicans are interested in helping poor people around the world........why must Americans live with this lie?????
Why can't our liberal MSM wolfpack report the truth and give credit to folks who deserve it??

[nolalou]

Ok, you want some truth? Bush's PEPFAR program
requires that one-third of prevention funds be used for abstinence-only programs. It specificly refuses to promote safe-*** practices and use of condoms! Isn't it better to try and prevent the spread of AIDS in the 1st place, then have to try and treat it afterwards? Don't get me wrong, of course we should do what we can to get medicine and treatment to those to need it, but having a policy like PEPFAR's is not the way to do it.

[perception5]

Now for some truth........ because it seems,again, our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack is at it again. Censoring, distorting, and just not educating the American public.
The greatest program EVER created to help people with HIV/AIDS is in it's 3rd year. It's called "PEPFAR"- President's (Bush) Emergency Plan for Aids. It's a 5 year $15 BILLION plan to administer "brand name" drugs to hunderds of thousands of people affected with aids in Africa and Latin America.
These "brand name" drugs are being purchased from American pharmaceutical companies at global prices that are far lower than "market" prices.
I have personally seen these programs administered in the slums of Kenya and Uganda. I have seen the great results of restoring people who are bed ridden to a point where they can function normally and provide for their families.
It's extremely sad to see that our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack can't educate Americans on this massive program. Is it because this is President Bush's plan??????????

[alimech]

And where are the American pharmaceutical companies?

Sitting in their lush offices and counting their money!!

The cost of treatment for an adult in the US...about $1800-$2000 a MONTH!! And some insurance plans do not cover it!

[oleander8]

"Under the deal, countries including France, Brazil, Chile, Norway and Britain will provide $35 million and the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative will contribute $15 million"

And where are the American pharmaceutical companies?