ITPC report issues guidance on 2010 WHO ARV targets

The International Treatment Preparedness Coalition, a 1,000 strong group of HIV/AIDS patients and activists from more than 125 countries, says that while the scale up of HIV treatment services is having a beneficial effect, high drug prices as well as patent and registration barriers are hindering progress. The conclusion, detailed in the ITPC's report, Missing the Target 5: Improving AIDS Drug Access and Advancing Health Care for All, is based on the organization's analysis of the current state of drug provision in 14 countries.

ITPC project coordinator Gregg Gonsalves said that "the foundations to make the 2010 target are in place in many countries," and added that, "if governments, global agencies and drug companies focus on tactically improving AIDS drug access by continually lowering costs, ending patent and regulatory problems and fixing drug availability logistics, while simultaneously strengthening health systems, there is real possibility for making the 'near universal access' target by 2010." The report goes on to make a list of country specific recommendations, and provide guidance for governments and global agencies, including:

- that the World Health Organization leads efforts to inform countries and health care providers about changes to first- and second-line treatment regimens;