jan 8, 2002 - Threats to de-register SA for the HIV/AIDS anti-retroviral

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The latest South African survey reveals that 5,3 million people in this country are living with HIV or AIDS. The Medicines Control Council (MCC) threatens to de-register the HIV/AIDS anti-retroviral Nevirapine unless further studies and appropriate documentation can show its efficacy in the prevention of mother to child transmisssion of HIV. Dr. Glenda Grey of the Peri-Natal HIV Research Unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital argues that enough evidence has already been presented. South African President Thabo Mbeki is publicly opposed to the provision of AIDS drugs in South Africa, rguing that they are dangerously toxic and still questioning whether HIV or poverty is the true cause of AIDS.