Africa: Accelerating Access Initiative Says Number of HIV Positive Africans Receiving ARVs Has Doubled

Kaiser Daily Update 19 March 2004 reported that an Accelerating Access Initiative (AAI) release stated the number of HIV/AIDS patients in Africa who are receiving antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) provided by companies participating in the AAI has doubled over the last six months of 2003. The AAI was established in May 2000 to improve access to HIV/AIDS treatment and care in developing countries. It is a partnership of five U.N. organizations and six pharmaceutical companies.