§ Lord Steel of Aikwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
What levels of financial support they offer to HIV and AIDS drugs research; and what was the level in each year since 1992. [HL975]
§ Baroness Jay of PaddingtonGovernment funded research on HIV and AIDS is mainly sponsored through the Medical Research Council. The areas currently covered include drug design, clinical trials, vaccine developments, and epidemiology, but funding information is not separately identified on each. Figures for total funding are as follows.
Total Government HIV/AIDS research funding Year Total 1992–93 £20.0 million 1993–94 £21.9 million 1994–95 £20.5 million 1995–96 £19.4 million 1996–97 *£18.7 million 1997–98 *£18.1 million * = estimate.
§ Lord Steel of Aikwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
What level of financial support they offer to HIV and AIDS care charities; and what was the level in each year since 1992. [HL976]
§ Baroness Jay of PaddingtonThe level of financial support offered to HIV and AIDS voluntary organisations since 1992 is shown in the table. This includes grants given to these organisations and also236WA funding for health promotion work commissioned from voluntary organisations.
Year England and Wales Scotland Northern Ireland Total 1991–92 £1.904m £115,380 £101,000 £2.12m 1992–93 £1.994m £149,000 £158,000 £2.30 lm 1993–94 £1.940m £152,500 £156,700 £2.249m 1994–95 £1.796m £156,000 £167,500 £2.120m 1995–96 £1.565m £129,000 £155,193 £1.849m 1996–97 £2.517m £115.578 £167.075 £2.8m 1997–98 £2.853m £122,000 £177,347 £3.152m
§ Lord Steel of Aikwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
What advice they are giving to health authorities on the treatment of those with HIV and AIDS; and whether they recommend the diversion of funds from care services to drug treatments. [HL977]
§ Baroness Jay of PaddingtonAdvice to health authorities in England on treatment and care of people with HIV/AIDS in 1998–99 is contained in the Health Circular HSC 1998/015, copies of which are available in the Library. The advice draws attention to the consensus guidelines for antiretroviral treatment of HIV positive individuals issued by the British HIV Association (BHIVA), and published in theLancet in April 1997. These therapies have so far proved successful in delaying the progression of HIV infection and the onset of AIDS. The circular sets out details of the sums available for HIV/AIDS treatment and care and HIV prevention, draws attention to relevant policy statements and other guidance and reminds health authorities to take account of the valuable role played by local authorities and the voluntary sector in the overall package of care for people with HIV and AIDS. It does not recommend diversion of funds from care services to drug treatments.
In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland there has been no specific advice issued to health authorities/boards about the treatment and care of those with HIV and AIDS. Specific funds are not earmarked but included within general allocations and it is for health authorities/boards to determine their own spending priorities. There has been no recommendation to divert funds from care services to drug treatments.