Accelerating Access Initiative (AAI) - Fact Sheet
Established in 2000, the Accelerating Access Initiative (AAI) involves seven research-based pharmaceutical companies; Abbott, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, and Merck & Co., Inc, and five United Nations partners; UNAIDS, the World Health Organization, World Bank, UNICEF, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
� The AAI combines pharmaceutical industry research knowledge with that of its partners to establish practical, long-term solutions that help to improve access to HIV healthcare in resource-poor countries
� The AAI companies remain committed to dialogue with all external organisations sharing similar goals to help people living with HIV/AIDS in the poorest countries. AAI members are actively engaged with many groups focused towards making meaningful and practical differences on the ground
Data on patients receiving treatment with ARV medicines provided by the AAI companies � Quarter 1 , 2005
� In March 2005, a total of 427,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries were receiving treatment with ARV medicines provided by the AAI companies
� The total number of patients receiving treatment from the AAI companies increased by 47% on the previous year, with 130,000 people initiated on treatment during 2004
� In Africa alone, 216,000 patients are being treated with medicines supplied by the AAI companies. With an increase in excess of 121% on the previous year, there has been a 23-fold increase in Africa since the establishment of the AAI in May 2000
� The estimated number of people on treatment is based on actual quarterly drug supply data from the seven companies. The drug unit data were converted into patient-equivalent numbers by quarter, based on dosage and indications.1 The data are therefore
collected precisely and consistently as they represent units supplied and actual sales, and the analysis is underpinned by reliable data2
� The summary data are included below, together with a graph of the growth in estimated number of patients treated since the AAI began3
1 The estimated patient numbers are a conservative estimate of the number of people actually treated with antiretrovirals in developing countries, since they do not take into account such factors as patient adherence to therapy, the number of children treated, use of other drugs, and drug wastage.
2 The calculated number of patients represents only an estimate of the number of patients treated by ARVs supplied by the AAI companies. The figures do not represent an estimate of the total number of patients treated in these countries, as they do not take into account the patients treated with antiretrovirals supplied by other companies. Thus, due to the factors noted above, the actual number of patients treated is likely to be higher than the reported figure of 427,341
3 This figure shows both the actual numbers as reported (dotted lines) and 4-quarter moving averages (solid lines). The moving averages provide a clearer view of the long-term trends in patient numbers, since they smooth the quarter-by-quarter variations that can occur due to tenders or other unusual buying patterns.
Note to editors from the Accelerating Access Initiative (AAI)
During the 12 months to March 2005, the estimated number of people living with HIV in developing countries treated with ARVs provided by the Accelerating Access Initiative (AAI) companies has increased to more than 427,000. This is a 47 per cent increase over 2004 figures, with over 130,000 people being initiated on treatment during 2004. The number of patients in Africa reached a total of 216,000 patients, an increase in excess of 121 per cent on the previous year. These results demonstrate the ongoing commitment of the seven research-based pharmaceutical companies involved in the AAI � Abbott, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, and Merck & Co., Inc.For further information:
In the US: Samir A. Khalil, Merck & Co., Inc Tel. +1.908.423.6440
In Switzerland: Maria Vigneau, Roche Tel: +41.61.688.9291
Further information
http://www.who.int
http://www.who.int/3by5/en/index.html
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