Position Statement

AIDS Statement - August, 1998

The ASGP Coordinating Committee has unanimously approved the following position as proposed by the Washington, D.C. Green Party.

The Association of State Green Parties demands that the United States rescind all threats of trade sanctions and desist making further threats against the Republic of South Africa and other nations for seeking to produce and offer AIDS drugs at low-cost generic prices. We consider the health and lives of millions of people infected with HIV more important than the profits to be reaped by pharmaceutical corporations through their exclusive patents on such drugs, many of which were developed with funding from government sources, i.e., with American taxpayers' money. We insist that the US abide by current international trade laws which allow 'compulsory licensing' -- local licenses to produce generic versions of patented medicines. We especially deplore Vice President Al Gore's role, as co-chair of the US/South Africa Bi-national Commission, in leveling such threats against weaker nations with large populations suffering from the AIDS epidemic.

Dean Myerson,
ASGP Secretary
August, 1998