International Treatment Access Coalition (ITAC)
Expanding Access to HIV Treatment
On 12 December 2002, a new initiative was launched to promote international cooperation in expanding access to HIV treatments for all those that need them. The International Treatment Access Coalition (ITAC) is a network of NGOs, international organizations, donors, developing countries and research institutions. It will serve as a platform for national and international advocacy on HIV treatment access, analyse and disseminate information and knowledge on pilot programs to guide scale up, and pool technical expertise to support the implementation of national programs.
Simultaneously, a report on ITAC has been released: A Commitment to Action for Expanded Access to HIV/AIDS Treatment: International HIV Treatment Access Coalition.
In industrialized countries, antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) have greatly improved the prognosis for people living with HIV/AIDS. However, 95% of people with HIV/AIDS live in developing countries, where access to these medicines remains unacceptably limited. As new resources are becoming available to provide HIV/AIDS treatment and care, major opportunities now exist to greatly expand coverage, but challenges remain in order to implement national treatment programs.