Russia faces
anti-HIV drug shortage

An unfortunate combination of bureaucratic mistakes, distribution problems, and a rapidly growing AIDS epidemic has led to a shortage of antiretroviral drugs for Russia's national treatment program. Gennady Onishchenko, Russia's head epidemiologist, told the Associaed Press that health officials in the country are trying to secure new supplies of anti-HIV medications, but he warns that they are not likely to be immediately available. The shortage has led to interrupted drug deliveries throughout the country, particularly in more remote areas. "There is, let's say, a full range of treatments in Moscow, but they are lacking somewhere in Siberia," Onishchenko says. Currently, about 15,000 HIV patients in Russia are receiving drugs through the national treatment program. AIDS experts believe more than 1 million Russians are infected with HIV, most through injection drug use. (The Advocate)