There are more than 25 million people in sub-Saharan Africa infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS. Last year 2.4 million South Africans died from the disease. Many were babies and teenagers, which are the most vulnerable of the population. The epidemic, which was once viewed as “being so large it defied a solution”, has now reached pandemic proportions. Every man, woman, and child is either effected or affected with this deadly disease.

However, due to increasing public awareness regarding the high price of the drugs and the intense pressures from advocacy groups across the globe to lower them, the tides are beginning to turn. In the last six months 39 mu

Contrary to the belief of the drug companies, the responsibility of conquering the AIDS epidemic in South Africa will be a shared endeavor. Lowering the price of the drugs is only the first step in this war against AIDS. The next step is figuring out how to pay for them. Secretary General Kofi Annan has proposed a global fund be established to fight AIDS and other infectious diseases. The largest contributions would have to come from governments of wealthy nations, non-government organizations, and the private sector worldwide. (Crosette A1) The agreement of the global drug companies to sell their products at discounted prices will put less of a financial burden on the governments of underdeveloped nations as well as developed nations financing the fund.

The agreement of the 39 multinational drug companies to lower the cost of antiretroviral drugs in South Africa is the first positive step toward eradicating the deadly plague, which has engulfed the country. South Africa can now offer it’s citizen hope that one day they will be able to live their lives free from the threat of contracting the HIV virus that causes AIDS.

This turn of events is due in part to the role the media has played in educating the public about the high cost of the drugs and the refusal of the drug companies to lower the prices. Also, the international spotlight has brought the images of the millions of Africans dying from lack of drugs in make shift metal shacks and over crowded hospitals to the forefront of the American conscious and the world. (Stolberg A1)

Another valid reason why drug companies have opposed selling their drugs at discounted prices has been to protect their patent rights. Patents entitle drug companies array of privileges. It allows them to market their drug for a specific amount of time, usually 20 years, without competition from other drug companies or other generic drug companies. They can also set the price of the drug as they see fit. The patent justifies the high cost of drugs because it can sometimes take more th

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