Poor nations need to strike a deal for cheap HIV drugs, says Clinton

The former president joined a panel of former heads of state in a special session at the 14th International AIDS Conference in Barcelona to discuss the role of political leadership in the global fight against AIDS.

Mr Clinton told the conference participants that they were the real heroes in the fight against AIDS.

‘‘Most of what people like me have done, you’ve kind of dragged out of us over the course of 20 years by educating us and continuing to chip away,’’ he said. He told them not to be discouraged. ‘‘Obviously these numbers are overwhelming, and there have been no medical breakthroughs and I know a lot of you are worn down, and if you’re HIV positive you may be frightened,’’ he said.

‘‘But there is a greater level of understanding and support among the political leadership of the world across the lines that otherwise divide people.’’

There are several countries where medicine and prevention strategies have turned the tide, Mr Clinton

noted. The UN has estimated that the world will need to spend $10 billion a year for several years to get the

pandemic under control.

‘‘First of all, the rich countries should figure out what they owe and they should pay - and pay in a timely fashion,’’ Mr Clinton said.

‘‘The advocates and the people representing the people in the poor countries with high infection rates need to figure out how to get the money and what to do with it.’’ The 15 countries of the Caribbean announced at the conference that they had cut a deal with drug companies for the supply of affordable drugs. Specific prices were not disclosed.

Very few other countries have taken similar action.