Health GAP Timeline

Direct Actions, Advocacy, and Response

January 2001- December 2001

January 2001

Health GAP holds meetings with HHS, USTR, NSC, & Congressional Black Caucus Leaders to assess needed strategies to keep Clinton's Executive Order from being overturned. Bush Administration preserves Executive Order, continues trade policy of previous Administration.

Health GAP fosters new alliance with Gray Panthers - offering expert policy advise on domestic pricing of drugs, generics.

Health GAP organizers work with Jubilee Network to assist them in formulating Debt Cancellation strategy, and educate the Network on AIDS and development issues, establishing a strong coalition with Jubilee.

Health GAP members work with activists from Brazil, Costa Rica, S. Africa and other countries during the Annual Retroviruses Conference in Chicago to establish links and strategize on country efforts to increase access to medicines.

Generic medicines used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS were introduced by Indian manufacturer Cipla, at a fraction of the price charged by multinational drug companies. This led to price reductions on AIDS treatments from approx. USD 10.000 per year per patient to USD 300 per year per patient, from both the generic and brand name drug companies. Soon after, other medications used in the treatment of opportunistic infections (e.g. fluconazole) benefited from similar drops in price.

February 2001

Health GAP participates in planning and advises influential beltway international development and global AIDS advocates on possible policy goals toward increasing access to treatment, care and support. Distributes position paper on bulk procurement and distribution of medicines document. Establishes Health GAP as lead experts in this area with network which includes ADNA, NORA, IIWG, GAAN/ICRW.

Health GAP works with international development, human rights, and global AIDS activists throughout the world globally to articulate access to treatment concerns during consultations on the global AIDS epidemic at the United Nation General Assembly (UNGASS) meetings in New York. Health GAP delivers verbal testimony at the consultation that is very positively received by representatives from countries in the South. Health GAP builds alliances toward influencing the outcome of UN strategies toward addressing access to treatment to be congealed at important UNGASS meeting in June 2001.

Health GAP members play central role in organizing Paris meeting to plan generics summit to be held later in the year in Africa.

Health GAP organizers and AIDS activist allies send letter to plaintiffs in South African lawsuit, condemning the pharmaceutical industry's attempt to derail the implementation of South Africa's Medicines Act. The letter calls for the plaintiffs to pull out of the lawsuit against the South African government immediately.

Health Gap and allies target GlaxoSmithKline, calling them to withdraw threatened lawsuits in Ghana, Uganda, and South Africa which are intended to block people with AIDS in those countries from having access to generic anti-AIDS medications. Global Treatment Access Campaign website is central to media work on the coordinated campaign.

Health GAP organizers and AIDS activist allies take over GlaxoSmithKline investor relations office in New York to expose company-wide policy of blocking generic AIDS drug access.

Health GAP is key organizer of advocacy efforts by international development, human rights, and AIDS activists globally to articulate access to treatment concerns during consultations on the global AIDS epidemic culminating in the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS) meetings in New York June 22-25, 2001. Health GAP presents “Fourteen Points For Health: Access To Treatment And The Ungass Issues Paper” at the UNGASS Informal Consultative, February 27, 2001.

March 2001

Grassroots activists throughout Europe, South and Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, Canada, and Australia participate in Global Day of Action; GTAC website is key in assisting grassroots activists globally in run-up to “Global Day of Action” on March 5^th.

Health GAP members hold demonstrations in New York, Boston, San Francisco and Philadelphia protesting PHRMA's lawsuit against South Africa.

Health GAP organizes press conference at South African Embassy with Ambassador, plus demonstration outside of PhRMA.

Health GAP demands President Bush publicly repudiate the lawsuit against South Africa's Medicines Act and state support for South Africa's right to use WTO-legal measures to ensure access to affordable medication.

Health GAP initiates discussion with activists, medical practitioners, public health experts and policymakers on global bulk drug procurement and distribution system. Creates and distributes discussion document regarding efficient large-scale programs delivering drugs to people in impoverished countries.

Health GAP organizers work with ACT UP Philadelphia to plan and execute demonstration at PhRMA headquarters in Washington DC on March 12 to protest the lawsuit against South Africa's Medicines Act and the industry-induced trial delay.

April 2001

Health GAP organizers work with influential Washington D.C. based AIDS lobbying group, National Organizations Responding to AIDS (NORA) coalition to press for bold U.S. leadership at United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS). Send joint letter to the President.

Health GAP provides leadership in mobilizing local New York AIDS activists to respond to UNGASS Consensus Statement’s lack of attention to treatment as integral component to ending the Global AIDS epidemic.

On April 19^th, 2001, thirty-nine drug companies dropped their long-standing lawsuit against the government of South Africa that had effectively blocked measures to create sustained access to affordable medication in this most impacted country.

Health GAP organizers congratulate South Africa on this major victory in struggle for access to treatment and call for continued support and commitment in the global campaign for treatment access.

Health GAP and AIDS activists join unions "Fair Trade" coalition in denouncing the Bush Admin.'s secretive negotiation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), arguing that it will reduce access to affordable generic versions of essential HIV/AIDS medication, and threaten health care across the Western Hemisphere, including Brazil's successful access strategies. Anti-FTAA organizing includes massive demonstration, led by AIDS activists, outside the US Trade Representative’s office.

San Francisco-based Health GAP members coordinate meeting with officials of the Brazilian Consulate and the press to defend Brazil's use of the legal mechanism of "compulsory licensing" in the face of lawsuits and pressure by the U.S. Government.

Health GAP organizers work with AIDS Treatment advocates and Yale AIDS Action to expose barriers to access to medicines where patents are held by universities. They submit letters to the President of University of Minnesota urging the University take the necessary steps to allow generic manufacture and/or importation of abacavir in each of the poor countries where current abacavir patent monopolies are blocking drug access. GlaxoSmithKline markets Abacavir, an important AIDS medication developed by the University. Students ally with Health GAP to address access issues in developing countries.

On April 26^th, 2001 U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, calls for creation of global fund for AIDS, TB, and Malaria, during meeting of the Organization for African Unity in Abuja, Nigeria. He states,” there has been a worldwide revolt of public opinion. People no longer accept that the sick and dying, simply because they are poor, should be denied drugs which have transformed the lives of others who are better off."

May 2001

Health GAP joins African American advocacy groups and others to demand that USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios be dismissed after he was quoted in the press saying that Africans lacked a 'concept of time,' in regards to HIV treatments adherence, thereby “justifying” that treatment should be withheld.

On May 15^th, 2001, Health GAP releases white paper, "Critical Issues Surrounding an International Fund for HIV/AIDS and Other Infectious Diseases" at the 54th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland. The document states policy recommendations on issues surrounding procurement and delivery of medications, governance, the role of wealthy nations, and the role of generic competition. Issue joint press release with Health Action International, Oxfam UK, and ACT UP demanding that the Global Health Fund meets poor countries' needs, not those of industry

Health GAP issues press release at WHA criticizing Bush Administration collusion with drug industry to block AIDS medication and care proposals by developing country representatives. The U.S. Government Representative was attempting to backtrack on U.S. policy commitments and influence outcomes of the annual assembly.

Health GAP assists allies in the building of broader coalitions to demand civil society involvement and UN transparency within the governance and structure of the Global AIDS Fund.

Countries block participation of HIV/AIDS and Human Rights experts and advocates at preparatory meetings for UNGASS in New York. Health GAP is key in coalition of NGOs demanding government commitment to resources and ensuring access to HIV/AIDS medicines.

Health GAP meets with Brazilian Health, Trade and Finance Ministry Officials. Exchanges information and develops a strategy to respond to US WTO dispute settlement against Brazil for its local working requirements, which the US claim violate WTO intellectual property rights laws, and which public health experts claim strengthen the national AIDS drug access program.

Health GAP publishes and distributes "Myths vs. Reality: Distortions About AIDS Drugs & The Developing World" in advance of UNGASS in New York.

Health GAP, AIDS groups and debt cancellation advocates question the Bush Administration’s commitment to fighting AIDS and lifting the debt burden as Secretary of State Colin Powell leaves for tour of African countries impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Health GAP organizers and AIDS activist allies protest in front of White House to denounce Bush's announcement of $200 million contribution to the GFATM, which activists claim is one-tenth of U.S. funding needed. Health GAP releases ‘Report Card of President Bush's first 100 Days and the Global AIDS Crisis’.

June 2001

Health GAP co-organizes NYC June 23 Dollars/Debt/Drugs action (Donate the dollars, treat the people, drop the debt) with AIDS advocacy and direct service providers, debt cancellation campaigners, and faith-based organizations to open the UN General Assembly’s Special Session on AIDS (UNGASS) meetings in New York.

Health GAP agitates for inclusion of treatment access in all multilateral initiatives at the UNGASS meetings. Coordinates press coverage, and convenes two meetings of Global Treatment Access Campaigners from across the globe to strategize future pressure campaigns for access identifying multilateral, national, and private sector targets.

UNGASS ends with Declaration adopted, recognizing that prevention and treatment are both essential components of the fight against HIV/AIDS. The U.S. and other G8 countries have committed themselves to specific action points included to the UNGASS Declaration.

Health GAP critiques corporate announcements during UNGASS for their inadequate plans for responding to the AIDS crisis in poor countries.

Health GAP organizes a global press conference, endorsed by scores of organizations around the world, criticizing UNGASS for refusing to offer anything more than lip service in support of treatment access.

Health GAP organizers were key in mobilized NGO participation in UNGASS and coordinated preparation documents of NGOs.

Health GAP staff present "Case Study" on local/global organizing, in partnership with ACT UP New York and Philadelphia, at the National Organizers Alliance gathering in California.

International pressure causes the U.S. to abandon its dispute settlement at the WTO with Brazil.

July 2001

In Genoa, Italy, the G8 renews its commitment made in Okinawa during July of 2000 to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and announced its support to the Global Fund. It also met a delegation from the New African Initiative and decided to prepare an action plan for Africa to be adopted at the next summit in Canada. The draft Action Plan, known as the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), includes aims to “strengthen programmes for containing communicable diseases” and to “strengthen Africa’s participation in processes aimed at procuring affordable drugs (…)”.

August 2001

Health GAP joins Mobilization for Global Justice to plan for Global Justice week around IMF / World Band meetings in Sept. HGAP, in addition to planning the breakfast and march, is successful in adding AIDS drug access issues to the “call to action” and the demands for the mobilization.

Health GAP applauds the Brazilian Ministry of Health for its threat to issue a compulsory license for the Nelfinavir patent, and condemns U.S. Govt. pressure on countries wishing to utilize this mechanism for ensuring access to essential medicines. Health GAP demands that the US administration stop blocking countries' life-saving strategies and condemns unfair trade agreements and the USTR's positions at WTO meetings on intellectual property issues and medicines.

Health GAP issues statement of solidarity with South Africa's Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) as the latter opens lawsuit against the South African Government demanding urgent steps to reduce mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS. TAC calls on international allies to support this action and to pressure any and all representatives of the South African government abroad. Health GAP releases solidarity statement.

Health GAP members participate in the conference on Law, Medicine and Ethics in Philadelphia. Health GAP convenes a meeting of treatment advocates from the many countries represented at the conference.

September 2001

Health GAP organizes a massive demonstration on the lead-up to the Doha WTO Ministerial outside the USTR's office, condemning US intransigence over the developing countries' demand for a pro-public health Ministerial Declaration on access to medicines and intellectual property rights.

Health GAP collaborates with Oxfam and Third World Network, during run-up to World Trade Organization meetings in Doha, Qatar in November 2001. Health GAP co-sponsors “Health before Wealth: Demand the WTO change its patent rules” petition, working with Oxfam's CUT THE COSTS Campaign and the Third World Network to rally support for affirmation and clarity by WTO of countries’ legal rights to prioritize the public health over intellectual property and patent concerns when considering appropriate responses to accessing life-saving medications. We collect over 32,000 signatures from 163 countries and territories. The names were presented to Mike Moore, Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), at the Ministerial Conference in Doha, Qatar.

Health GAP advocates for an integrated (treatment + prevention) response to the AIDS crisis to key public health professionals through publication of the lead editorial in the American Journal of Public Health, written by Health GAP founder and member, Dr. Alan Berkman.

Health GAP embarks on a grassroots mobilization and cross cutting coalition building effort in Washington DC for what was to be a massive Health GAP/grassroots presence on September 30^th in opposition to the IMF and World Bank meetings. Health GAP holds town meetings in Baltimore, MD sponsored by Labor and the National Organizers Alliance, works with coalitions in D.C, Baltimore and Philadelphia to build a strong grassroots base to fight for equitable global access to treatment, and builds alliances with leading grassroots social justice organizers. The IMF/WB protests are cancelled after the Sept. 11^th attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Health GAP organizers work with ACT UP Philadelphia to plan protest of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) during his speech at the Philadelphia summit of the Corporate Council on Africa on Sept. 16^th. The action is intended to highlight US government obstruction against meaningful declaration on access to life saving drugs and WTO patent rules as run-up to WTO meetings in Doha, Qatar.

October 2001

Health GAP New Yorkers generate press on U.S. refusal to break monopoly on Cipro. Highlights health risk of U.S. hard-line on patent protection--at home and in AIDS-devastated poor countries.

November 2001

Health GAP organizers participates in the WTO Ministerial in Doha, Qatar. Organizers work with allies, working press and supporting majority of member states attempting to gain a decisive statement that member states have the right to grant compulsory licenses and the freedom to determine the grounds upon which such licenses are granted, thereby confirming the permission of countries to produce and import generic versions of drugs patented in the country issuing the license.

WTO Ministerial Declaration adopted in Doha, Qatar, in November 2001, stresses importance of interpreting and implementing the TRIPS agreement “in a manner supportive of public health.” WTO ministers also adopt a separate “Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health” that clearly states the right of member countries to override patents in order to protect public health and, in particular, to promote access to medicines for all.

Health GAP acknowledges major victory in press release but astutely points stands out that nations with limited capacity for domestic production of medicines are still dogged by lack of clarity on the WTO-legality importing inexpensive generic medications. Health GAP leads call for further clarification.

Health GAP joins AIDS activists from around the world at the Transitional Working Group meetings of the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM) in Brussels on 22-24 Nov. to demand that proposals for subsidizing inexpensive AIDS medications be encourages in granting process. Health GAP sponsors attendance of two PLWHA activists from the developing world, and provides leadership in staging Joint Press Conference and statement by NGOs from Belgium, Burundi, France, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, South Korea, UK, and U.S. on importance of treatment access.

Health GAP core members gives a presentation on the access to medicines campaign at prestigious American Public Health Association annual meeting,

Health GAP brings core members and U.S. based allies to New York for Health GAP quarterly strategy meeting during first weekend in December. Participants strategize future key activities and emphasis in global struggle for access and implementation of treatment delivery in the Global South. Allies included representatives of Médecins Sans Frontières, Treatment Action Group (TAG), Human Rights Watch, UNICEF, Student Global AIDS Campaign, African Service Committee, the Treatment Action Group, GMHC, Jubilee Network, American Medical Students Association, Northwest Coalition for AIDS Treatment in Africa, National Council of Churches/Church World Service, Global AIDS Alliance, Global Justice, and Yale Law School.

December 2001

Health GAP, in continuing to influence human rights advocates and activists and build further alliances, leads a plenary session at symposium on Intellectual Property Rights and Human Rights hosted by University of Connecticut Law School.

Health GAP works with labor and consumer advocates in opposition to Trade Promotion Authority (“Fast Track). Mobilizes grassroots AIDS activists nationwide. Releases Action Alert “Fast Track: a matter of life and death for people with AIDS” and coordinates grassroots mobilization to educate the public on negative impact for people with AIDS of bypassing Congressional oversight of trade agreements.

Health GAP presents a briefing paper on “Producing HIV/AIDS Medicines for Export/Import Under the TRIPS Agreement” at a meeting of the Trans Atlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) in Washington D.C.

Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) win their case in South Africa (SA) High Court, forcing the SA government to provide Nevirapine to pregnant women in order to help prevent transmission of HIV to their unborn children.