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Health care access, fake drugs impeding HIV fight, speakers say

Aid agencies forced to purchase low-quality drugs on black market, Caritas Myanmar official says
Health care access, fake drugs impeding HIV fight, speakers say
Published: April 15, 2016 04:52 AM GMT
Updated: April 15, 2016 04:52 AM GMT

The fight against HIV/AIDS is being hampered by continued stigma against those who are infected, a lack of access to appropriate medical care and fake antiretroviral drugs pedaled on the black market, said activists taking part in a Caritas Internationalis conference.

Caritas brought together representatives of faith-based groups across the world to hammer out a plan for the best ways to provide early diagnosis and treatment for HIV, especially in children. The April 11-13 Rome gathering was organized with UNAIDS, the U.S. President's Plan for AIDS Relief and the Vatican's pediatric hospital, Bambino Gesu, Catholic News Service reported.

Representatives from Caritas Myanmar — Karuna Mission Social Solidarity — said less than 2 percent of their country's national gross domestic product is invested in health care.

A lack of resources means some government agencies are "weak," including the one in charge of regulating pharmaceuticals to guarantee quality and safety, said Dr. Win Tun Kyi, national director of Caritas Myanmar.

With low drug supplies, doctors and clinics have to rely on the cross-border purchases and the black market for many pharmaceuticals including basics like penicillin and vaccinations, he said.

Kyi said these medications are "usually low quality and there are lots of fake drugs out there. I am a medical doctor and I don't know if a drug is good" and where it really came from since there are no guaranteed controls.

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