The pharmaceutical industry has also responded to the needs of patients for access to these medicines. Major pharmaceutical firms sponsor long-standing patient assistance programs that help nearly one million people each year, including AIDS patients. In addition, companies sponsor a host of programs to help AIDS patients. Several companies are participating in a program sponsored by UN AIDS to try to adapt combination drug therapy to conditions in the developing world. The pharmaceutical industry believes that the important contribution it can make to the fight against AIDS is to continue its research efforts.
Drug research is very expensive.
Some medicines for such complex and tough diseases as AIDS cost much more. The 113 medicines and vaccines currently in development by 78 companies represent the best hope of reducing both the human and economic toll of this disease.