New Analysis from 14 Countries Identifies Drug Access Priorities to Achieve 2010 AIDS Treatm...(s tosome key drugs. -- In India drug ...),Health

-- In India, drug stock-outs are reported across the country, particularly where IDUs require treatment regimens that are not hepatotoxic.

-- In Malawi, a chronic shortage of health care workers is a major impediment to drug access; while ARV stock-outs are rare, other important drugs are often unavailable.

-- In Morocco, new intellectual property laws threaten the provision of AIDS treatment.

-- In Nigeria, despite a rapid scale up of ARV treatment and a free treatment policy, treatment sites are not easily accessible in many parts of the country, and CD4 and other tests are still being offered at a fee in several locations.

-- In the Philippines, treatment is not yet accessible to all, there is a healthcare worker shortage and diagnostic testing access is limited.

-- In Russia, ARV stock-outs are a severe and ongoing problem.

-- In Uganda, stock-outs are commonplace, and limited support and care services undermine drug access.

-- In Zambia, there is concern that AIDS drug access depends on the work of NGOs and the government is not sufficiently engaged.

-- In Zimbabwe, stock-outs are frequent and the increasingly unfriendly general policy environment remains a cause for concern.

Action Recommendations for Global Agencies and National Governments

-- The World Health Organization: Take the lead to educate countries about changes to standard first- and second-line treatment regimens and lead global efforts to simultaneously expand AIDS services while strengthening broader care systems.

-- United Nations technical agencies: Clearly and publicly communicate changes in WHO ARV drug guidelines and provide technical support and guidance to countries to help implement the changes.

-- The Global Fund: Proactively support grantees in identifying and correcting procurement bottlenecks and strengthening national procurement systems for ARVs and other medicines an
'/>"/>