U.S. officials say they are not challenging the compulsory licensing provisions of the intellectual property agreement themselves. Instead, a spokeswoman for the U.S. trade representative's office claimed that Brazil's law discriminated against imports by allowing the government to license a drug if it was not being manufactured in Brazil within three years of its introduction. South Africa recently reached an accord with Pfizer to obtain the drug diflucan, which combats infections like meningitis and thrush that afflict HIV-positive patients, and train doctors in its use. MANY development officials say the drug companies have failed to live up to their promises. But they caution that the companies have not specified the amount of drugs to be supplied.
Nobody pretends that low-cost drugs are the whole solution.
As a result, WHO and Unaids emphasize testing, education and prevention programs as the best defense in many countries.