WHO assembly debates resolution

WHO assembly debates resolution

GENEVA (AFP): World health officials on Tuesday closed an annual assembly dominated by discussions on the access to anti- AIDS drugs and a disagreement between rich and poor countries over a 20 million dollar funding shortfall for 2002.

The World Health Organization's (WHO) assembly adopted a resolution aiming to step up action against HIV/AIDS, but the text was a modified version from the one submitted by Brazil.

Brazil tried to win approval for a text recognizing the validity of its legislation in combating AIDS through the production of generic drugs.

However, the United States, which has taken Brasilia to the World Trade Organization over its generic drugs system, opposed the text.

A more moderate text presented by the European Union calling for an improvement in access to medicines won the backing of Brazil and was adopted.