Gay Today: World

British Prepare to Defame
AIDS Drug Profiteers

Compiled by GayToday

London, England— "AIDS drug patents and prices kill people with HIV,” say slogans that will be hoisted Monday, March 5 during a Global Day Of Action Against GlaxoSmithKline.

The demonstration will take place between 8-10am at the GlaxoSmithKline plant, Great West Road, Brentford, London (Syon Lane BR station).

The event coincides with the opening day of a legal action bought by GalxoSmithKline and 41 other pharmaceutical companies against the South African government in Pretoria. As the world's largest drug corporation, GlaxoSmithKline is leading the fight to enforce patent rights and price fixing for anti-HIV drugs, by preventing the South African government from importing cheap generic versions and making them available to people with AIDS.

"The outcome of this court case will affect 32 million HIV sufferers in poorer countries, who cannot afford these exorbitant-priced drug therapies", according to gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who is backing next Monday's protest.

"GSK says that under its Accelerated Access scheme it has cut the price of HIV drugs by 85 per cent. But this scheme applies only to Africa and even the reduced price of $1500 a year is too expensive for most people in Third World countries".

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"A victory for GlaxoSmithKline and the other pharmaceutical giants will make cheap anti-HIV drugs illegal and condemn millions of people to a painful, slow death".

"GlaxoSmithKline's multi-billion pound profits are obscene. The argument that they need these mega profits to fund research is false. GSK made a profit of $7.6 billion in 1999, but invested only $3.75 billion in research that year. Meanwhile, 2.5 million people in the developing world die needlessly of Aids every year".

Monday's demonstration is being coordinated by Guy Taylor of Globalise Resistance, a network of green, human rights, development aid and anti-capitalist campaigners.

Further information:

Peter Tatchell: 020 7403 1790

Guy Taylor of Globalise Resistance: 07956 681 328
Web: www.resist.org.uk
Email: globaliseresistance@hotmail.com