WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today joined her colleagues
in reintroducing legislation to combat the worldwide HIV/AIDS crisis and
promote access to affordable drugs. The Affordable HIV/AIDS Medicines
for Poor Countries Act would prohibit the United States government from
using trade policy and other measures to block the efforts of developing
nations to fight HIV/AIDS. Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA) is the
chief sponsor of the legislation.
“I
am appalled by the drug industry’s thirst for profit and willful neglect
of the AIDS pandemic in Africa. That is why in Congress we are leading
the effort to save lives in sub Saharan Africa and elsewhere. And
as the world’s leader, we must set the moral example for other nation’s
to follow,” Schakowsky said.
The
Affordable HIV/AIDS Medicines for Poor Countries Act would make it illegal
for the U.S. government to use the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) to prevent any developing country
from importing drugs from other countries or producing generic versions
on their own. It would also prohibit any agency of the U.S. government
from using federal funds to seek to revoke any law or policy of a developing
country that promotes access to HIV/AIDS medicines. Furthermore,
this bill would require the U.S. to urge the World Trade Organization (WTO)
to exempt developing countries from the application of provisions of the
TRIPS agreement that restrict their ability to make HIV/AIDS medicines
available to their populations at affordable prices.
Schakowsky
and her colleagues also denounced action by pharmaceutical companies, including
an ongoing lawsuit in South Africa to prohibit that nation from implementing
a law that would provide millions with affordable drugs. Many people
in developing countries have been denied life-saving medicines because
they cannot afford to pay the exorbitant prices, which range from $4,000
to $20,000 a year. The GNP per capita in sub-Saharan Africa is $503 per
year. Seventy percent of those infected with HIV/AIDS live in sub-Saharan
Africa, but the epicenter of this crisis is creeping towards Asia.
“President
Bush and his Trade Representative have a responsibility to South Africa
and the rest of the world. It should be the policy of this Administration
to denounce efforts that limit access to life saving drugs and to attack
the AIDS crisis to the fullest extent. Anything less would be unconscionable,”
Schakowsky said.
After
Schakowsky and others criticized U.S. policies of putting politics and
profits ahead of access to affordable HIV/AIDS drugs for nations like South
Africa, then President Clinton issued an Executive Order changing U.S.
trade policies regarding HIV/AIDS drugs in sub-Saharan Africa. The
Bush Administration has indicated a willingness to honor that Executive
order. However, Schakowsky believes that more must be done. |
