ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the lens proffered by the GAP hypothesis. It offers a comparative analysis of the room to maneuver and the policy results in Brazil and Uganda, which also faced significant HIV/AIDS epidemics. Indeed, the National Health Council rejected a comprehensive application of the WHO's revised treatment initial guidelines on grounds of affordability. Contrary to the situation in South Africa, Brazilian AIDS activists, without going into the definition of 'activist' in great detail, it is useful to note that activists, here in the HIV/AIDS arena, are in this instance a creature of globalization themselves. Obviously the acquisition of market share has been aided by the pressure of antiretrovirals and their purchase by international organizations such as PEPFAR and the Global Fund, among others. The relationship between HIV/AIDS, state sovereignty and the responsibility to respond differs between South Africa and Brazil, and again from Uganda. At present no global enforcement mechanism exists to make a company meet a state responsibility.
