§ Mr. AllanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had recently with the pharmaceutical industry concerning the supply of anti-HIV drugs to countries in Africa. [146067]
§ Mr. Hilary BennTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with pharmaceutical companies about making AIDS drugs available to developing countries at more affordable prices; and if she will make a statement. [146098]
§ Clare ShortThe Department for International Development is in dialogue with the pharmaceutical industry, developing countries and the international community to try to reduce the cost of anti-retroviral therapies to treat HIV/AIDS in developing countries. The initiative by a group of pharmaceutical companies to reduce the cost of anti-retroviral therapies for developing countries was a positive step, but even at greatly reduced prices they remain unaffordable for many people in developing countries.
We are also working with developing countries to put in place basic primary health care systems in order to deliver basic drugs and other care to all in need. The drugs are complex to administer and require constant monitoring of the treatment regime. Many developing countries do not have primary health care systems and thus, whatever the price of drugs, have no means of delivering care to the poor.