China to make its own Aids drugs
The Chinese government has approved for the first time
the sale of anti-HIV drugs made by state-owned manufacturers. The Northwest
General Pharmaceutical Factory will now produce and sell AZT, which came
out of international patent protection last year, and the Desano Biopharmaceutical
company in Shanghai has been approved to generically produce and sell
its own version of ddI
HIV positive people deported from Taiwan
The Living Care Association of Taiwan has asked us to highlight the plight
of people with HIV who face deportation from the country. Since 1984,
365 foreign nationals from over 30 countries have tested positive, have
been ordered to leave the country immediately and have been placed on
a blacklist, barring re-entry. The association is campaigning for a fair
appeals procedure as well as a change in the discriminatory law. For more
details, email: lcataiwan@yahoo.com
Laos goldfish-in-a-condom ad 'too explicit'
A TV advertisement that depicts a woman carrying a goldfish in a water-filled
condom has been withdrawn in Laos after the government deemed it "too
explicit." Culture minister Kheckeo Soisaya said the ad was pulled
because it failed to show how condoms can prevent the spread of HIV. The
traditionally conservative society in Laos has been ruled by a communist
regime since 1975 and keeps a tight control on the media.
Mandela backs free HIV drugs
Former South African President Nelson Mandela last month took another
indirect swipe at the current government's refusal to provide anti-HIV
drugs to millions of people with the virus in his country. In a condolence
letter sent after the death of renowned Cape Town singer Anneline Malebo,
Mandela expressed "great sadness that Anneline's economic position
made her unable to afford antiretrovirals earlier. This again emphasises
the need for us to make treatment available in the public sector,"
Mandela said.
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Saudi admits to HIV problem
The Saudi health ministry has recorded 452 cases of Aids with another
833 testing positive
