ZAMBIA: Partly subsidised AIDS drugs increase treatment

Zambia has partly subsidised anti-AIDS drugs to the benefit of more than 12,000 people living with HIV and AIDS, Agence France-Presse reported.

Health Minister Brian Chituwo recently told parliament that the initiative was part of a long-term government goal to have 100,000 HIV-positive people on antiretroviral treatment by 2005.

Despite wider availability of the drugs, the government has been criticised for expecting patients to contribute about US $8 towards their treatment each month.

"We recognise that the cost-sharing measures are a hindrance to the universal access to antiretrovirals for patients," Chituwo said, but added that the fee was introduced to avoid illegal trading of the drugs.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Other,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]