ABSTRACT
According to the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), by the end of 2001, 42 million people were living with HIV. In May, the World Health Assembly approved the Global AIDS Strategy built on three broad objectives: prevention of HIV infection, reduction of the personal and social impact of HIV infection, unifying national and international efforts against AIDS. UNAIDS is bringing to the Initiative its expertise in social and behavioural research and community participation, which is essential to the conduct of human vaccine trials. Scientists agree that a preventive vaccine is the best hope for ending the epidemic. Free or low-cost drugs are not the whole solution to the epidemic: remedies include education, prevention, treatment, care, support, effective health services, research, under a strong government leadership. Obstacles to cost reductions and the production and sale of generic drugs have been raised by pharmaceutical companies protecting their patents and governments protecting their companies.
