BUT CONTINUES TO DENY PREGNANT WOMEN AZT!

The Health Minister and the Department of Health have responded to media reports on the proposed international panel of experts and the science of AIDS.

TAC welcomes the following statements of the Minister and the Department:

The established scientific and epidemiological evidence on HIV/AIDS is conclusive and the epidemic is the most serious health challenge in the Southern African region.

- The public invitation to nominate candidates for the panel.
- The clear statement that HIV/AIDS treatment including treatment of opportunistic infections will form part of the terms of reference of the committee.
- TAC remains concerned regarding the following questions:

Despite the Minister and Departmentís unequivocal statement that HIV and AIDS exists, the statement does not categorically reject the participation of scientists who reject the fact that HIV causes AIDS. If this committee is to work instead of debate, then this is the inappropriate forum for the "Duesberg" scientists.

The statement refers to "local evidence regarding the causes of AIDS". Though this may not be the intention of the Ministry and the Department, the above statement will be mischievously interpreted by local and international Duesberg followers to sow confusion.

Do we need a new international expert committee (at what cost?) when South Africa has some of the best clinical and scientific experience on HIV/AIDS? This question needs to be considered in the light of the fact that the reports commisioned by government from the Medical Research Council, the Medicines Control Council and the World Health Organisation on the toxicity of AZT have been rejected by the Minister. TAC calls for these reports to be made public immediately.

While the use of the internet for the committee reports has been mooted in the response, little thought has been given to the relationship between the proposed international expert committee, the proposed local task teams and the National AIDS Council (SANAC). According to Dr. Mark Ortenweiller, a member of SANAC, they were not aware of the international committee or its terms of reference.

TAC REJECTS THE MINISTERíS STAND ON AZT FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

The Ministerís stand on anti-retrovirals for pregnant women is scientifically, medically and legally wrong.

She maintains that:"[t]hat decision was taken in the light of the best available evidence and the special social and economic circumstances of our country. I still think it is the right decision. Nonetheless, we are awaiting with interest the results of South African research on this matter.

"Should the expert panel came to another conclusion, I would give it serious consideration. We would, however, require an ingenious solution to the funding challenges."

TAC challenges the Minister and her advisors to make the following information public immediately:

Evidence of any scientific study that proves that provision of AZT is not economically feasible in our country?
Evidence of any scientific study that proves that AZT has any significant long term toxicity to mother and child when given to pregnant women in the last trimester of pregnancy?
TAC reiterates its stand that drug companies are profiteering from HIV/AIDS. But, we are convinced by the studies of Wilkinson, Soderlund, and others, as well as, the opinion of the vast majority of experts that providing AZT to pregnant women is economically feasible--the only obstacle is political will.
We will fight till the last breath to make HIV/AIDS drugs accessible and affordable for all people. The Minister and the government have the legal power to bring the price of any medication needed on a large scale down to an affordable level. We urge her to use these powers.

Once again, we welcome the Ministryís clarification on the international committee of experts and note our concerns. However, we urge the Minister to follow the lead of countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and North America that provide AZT to pregnant women with HIV/AIDS.

Issued by the Treatment Action Campaign
E-mail: shasha@netactive.co.za or zackie@pixie.co.za

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