International Red Cross Calls AIDS Drug Pricing Structure ‘Unacceptable’
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has labeled the pricing of AIDS drugs and treatments "unacceptable," the Associated Press reports. Federation President Astrid Heiberg said, "Lives are being lost because access is being denied to lifesaving medicine for those living with HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases. This is completely unacceptable. Pharmaceutical companies and the international community can and must find a way [a]round this." Declaring that "[h]umanitarian concerns should prevail over commercial concerns," the federation has called on its members to support developing nations like South Africa that are trying to acquire affordable treatments. The Red Cross federation represents 176 national societies and has 100 million members and volunteers (Koppel, Associated Press, 3/12).
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