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HIV
Anti-retroviral treatment
 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has a clear stand on access to lifesaving drugs - that humanitarian concerns should prevail over commercial interests.
The International Federation believes that the present balance of resource allocation and pricing of drugs is unacceptable and needs to be redesigned, as it does not allow access to care and treatment for the vast majority of people living with HIV.
However, the price of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has dropped significantly and there has been increased political commitment from leaders of some of the hardest hit countries.
The International Federation and its National Red Cross Red Crescent Societies are committed to supporting government efforts to increase the availability of anti-retroviral therapy.
Since 2003, the Red Cross Red Crescent has adopted a holistic approach to ART in collaboration with governments and partnerships with other specialized agencies. This comprehensive approach involves prevention, care, treatment and the fight against stigma.
For instance, some interventions such as voluntary counselling and testing, community mobilization, treatment literacy and affordability of drugs are considered preconditions for beginning ART.
National Society involvement is based on the following conditions:
- availability of an overarching HIV policy
- availability of protocol on ART and guidelines on nutrition for people living with HIV
- demonstrated political commitment and leadership
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Health and community care
