Press Release: Cape Verde Joins Drug Procurement Consortium

Government of Cape Verde to launch national HIV/AIDS care and treatment program through key partnership with Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative

Today the Government of Cape Verde and the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative announced that Cape Verde has joined the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative Procurement Consortium, which will enable the Government to purchase high-quality AIDS medicines and diagnostics at the lowest available prices in the developing world. The partnership will support the national HIV/AIDS care and treatment program, which was officially launched by the Ministry of Health on December 1st, World AIDS Day. Under the program, antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) will be made available to all Cape Verdeans at no cost.

The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Cape Verde is relatively low, with about 1,100 people living with the virus. Recognizing a unique opportunity to forestall the development of a widespread epidemic, the Government is taking active steps to implement an integrated prevention, care and treatment strategy. The antiretroviral treatment program launched this week aims to treat 10,000 people by 2008, a goal the Government is better positioned to reach with access to drastically reduced prices for ARVs and diagnostic tests under the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative.

The prices for ARVs negotiated by the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative are one-third to one-half of the lowest price otherwise available in most settings, and cover individual formulations and two- and three-drug fixed dose combinations that have been pre-qualified by the World Health Organization. The prices for diagnostic tests include machines, training, reagents and maintenance and are up to 80% cheaper than otherwise available on the market. To date, more than 20 countries have purchased drugs or diagnostics at the reduced prices.

At the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Cape Verde and the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative, Dr. Jacqueline Perreira, Programme Director of the National Programme in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS (PLS), said: “This partnership with the Clinton Foundation will enable the Government of Cape Verde to roll-out its treatment program as rapidly as possible. By purchasing high-quality drugs and testing equipment at such low prices, we can ensure that our resources are maximized. We are very optimistic that the new national treatment program will be a success and help stem the tide of HIV/AIDS in Cape Verde.”

On behalf of Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative, Jennifer Lissfelt, Regional Manager for Africa, said, “We congratulate the Government of Cape Verde for undertaking aggressive efforts to combat HIV/AIDS at this critical juncture. With this partnership and the launch of the national treatment program, it is demonstrating its determination to provide high-quality care and treatment to those infected with the virus. We look forward to working with the Government to this end.”

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