When will most AIDS patients in the world have access to effective antiretroviral therapy?

Abstract

When will most AIDS patients in the world have access to effective antiretroviral (ARV) therapy? There is not a simple answer to this important public health question. Any answer will have to depend on several unknown factors, including the global supplies of generic ARV drugs in the coming years, the level of the international and domestic funding to provide ARV drugs and help to build the necessary public health infrastructures, and the successful product developments of therapeutic HIV vaccine as an adjunct to ARV treatments and HIV vaccines. For instance, if the current international financial support can be increased very significantly, then it is possible for most AIDS patients in the world to receive effective ARV therapy in the next 10 years. If a therapeutic HIV vaccine as an adjunct to ARV treatment can cure AIDS, then it is also possible to treat most AIDS patients in the world. Finally, an effective HIV vaccine, with or without ARV prophylaxis, offers the best solution to prevent future generations of public health workers from having to face the challenges of the AIDS pandemic like we do today.