The HIV epidemic and human rights violations in Brazil

Monica Malta,Chris Beyrer

doi:10.7448/ias.16.1.18817

Abstract

Efforts to mitigate stigma and discrimination have been central to the national response to HIV in Brazil, a country historically recognized as a leader in human rights-based HIV prevention, treatment and care. Brazil is credited with avoiding a potentially generalized HIV epidemic by providing universal access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and associated HIV care since 1996. The Brazilian AIDS policy, although hailed as a model worldwide, has been more difficult to implement among more vulnerable groups of people living with HIV/AIDS, such as drug users, homeless persons, people who use drugs and sex workers, who are often stigmatized as noncompliant or difficult to retain in care. (Published: 12 November 2013) Citation: Malta M and Beyrer C. Journal of the International AIDS Society 2013, 16 :18817 http://www.jiasociety.org/index.php/jias/article/view/18817 | http://dx.doi.org/10.7448/IAS.16.1.18817

Highlights

In spite of difficulties in implementing universal antiretroviral therapy (ART) access among more vulnerable groups, political leaders have implemented diverse strategies aiming at securing universal access to antiretroviral (ARV)
Since 2000, the government made a few public threats to issue a compulsory license for local production of generic versions of patented ARVs, leading several multinational pharmaceutical companies to slash the prices of AIDS medicines
Brazil was the first country to grant a compulsory license for an AIDS drug Á Efavirenz, the ARV drug most used by Brazilian patients

Summary

Introduction

In spite of difficulties in implementing universal ART access among more vulnerable groups, political leaders have implemented diverse strategies aiming at securing universal access to antiretroviral (ARV). Since 2000, the government made a few public threats to issue a compulsory license for local production of generic versions of patented ARVs, leading several multinational pharmaceutical companies to slash the prices of AIDS medicines. Brazil was the first country to grant a compulsory license for an AIDS drug Á Efavirenz, the ARV drug most used by Brazilian patients.

Results

Conclusion