UN to create global AIDS fund

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan proposed on Thursday the creation of a global fund "dedicated to the battle against HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases." Annan was speaking in Abuja, Nigeria at an Organization of African Unity summit on AIDS and other infectious diseases. Annan also indicated that he met recently with representatives of six of the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies and secured commitments to sell drugs to developing countries at greatly reduced prices. He added that the AIDS crisis "is so grave that developing countries must face it by exploiting all options to the full, including the production and importation of 'generic' drugs under license, within the terms of international trade agreements." ...