Indeed, many African countries suffering from the pandemic are so poor they do not even qualify for loans at commercial rates. At a time when international pressure, and G8 commitments, have focused on lifting Africa's crippling debt, what Africa needs is grants, not new loans, to increase prevention, testing and treatment programs, build its social service infrastructure, purchase medicines and increase the capacity of communities to cope with the crisis. Because loan recipients would be required to purchase US-made drugs under this plan, the primary beneficiaries would be the US pharmaceutical giants, even if AIDS drugs are sold at a substantial discount. What pharmaceutical companies are keen to avoid is the entirely-legal prospect of local manufacture or import of generic versions of their drugs. Their announcement two months ago of plans to cut drug prices can be seen in that regard.
Details have yet to be provided.
The US would do well to come through on its debt relief commitments as you have pressed for so consistently and pledge substantial new grant resources to address the pandemic.