§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the Government have done since 1997 to assist countries with AIDS and HIV to gain access to care and treatment; what antiretroviral drugs have been provided to Third World countries; and if she will make a statement. [46168]
§ Clare ShortMy Department has committed significant resources to support a range of HIV/AIDS programmes, including support for national strategic HIV programmes particularly in Africa and Asia. We are also supporting the development of health systems to effectively deliver care, including home-based and palliative care. In parallel, we are supporting work to build a solid evidence base to inform effective and responsible provision of ART in developing countries. Where functioning health systems do exist we are seeking to help governments to consider the issues surrounding the introduction of ART in the most cost effective and equitable way.
864WWe have also pledged $200 million to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM). The aim of the fund is to support the purchase of essential commodities for tackling HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.
Our Working Group on Access to Medicines is bringing together Government, industry and others to find ways of getting medicines for HIV/AIDS and other diseases to the world's poorest at affordable prices. Better health systems are of course vital for getting drugs to the poor. We have committed over £1 billion to health systems strengthening in developing countries since 1997.