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"While the Clinton/Gore Administration has contributed more to fighting HIV/AIDS than any prior Administration, the war against this devastating epidemic is still far from over," said former Congressman and PACHA Chair Ronald V. Dellums. "Ultimately, it is an issue of will that keeps us from stopping HIV/AIDS. America must stand united with other nations of the world and fight this disease now -- we have no time to spare," said Dellums. The report calls on the administration to strongly support and work to enact policy reforms that will encourage the development of AIDS vaccines, including tax credits for vaccine research, development and sales; creation of international purchase funds and support of public-private partnerships such as GAVI and IAVI. According to Seth Berkley, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of IAVI, "The President's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) has been a strong and consistent voice for sound public health policy during the Clinton Administration. "PACHA's final report is a clarion call for U.S. leadership to combat the global pandemic. We applaud PACHA for prioritizing vaccine development and for its strong call for the US government to join other governments in funding IAVI. We echo PACHA's call for expanded tax credits to encourage AIDS vaccine development and deployment. "With 15,000 new infections every day, there is indeed no time to spare. Much can be accomplished during the President's final days in office and in the waning days of this Congress. There can be no such thing as a lame duck when confronting a global pandemic of this magnitude." Read the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition's (AVAC) Press Release. |