The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7337 p199
19 February 2005

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HIV levels rising despite prevention efforts

The underlying reason for the continuing rise in HIV infections worldwide is socioeconomic and represents a failure of prevention, the authors of an editorial in last week’s BMJ argue (2005;330:320).

A record 4.8 million people worldwide became infected with HIV in 2003. Although the ideal prevention strategy would be a universally available vaccine, hopes for an early breakthrough are not high and initial results of trials of microbicides to prevent transmission have been disappointing, the authors say.

At present, therefore, efforts at prevention are being aimed at trying to change behaviour. For instance, in Thailand and Uganda, dramatic falls in the incidence of new HIV infections have coincided with extensive campaigns to increase awareness of HIV and popularise the use of condoms, the authors add.

As a reminder that millions of people with HIV and AIDS in developing countries are still waiting for treatment despite government promises, three Nottingham Trent University fine art students have converted an ice-cream van into a travelling global “pharmacy”.

“George and Tony’s Phoney Pharmacy” will tour the UK in aid of international development charity, ActionAid.