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.