An international AIDS group has welcomed the recent approval by the US senate of Randall Tobias, former CEO of the pharmaceutical giant, Eli Lilly and Company, as coordinator of President George W Bush's global HIV/AIDS initiative.
This follows recent reports of concerns by AIDS activists that Tobias would seek to protect pharmaceutical industry profits, rather than promote affordable access to antiretroviral drugs in developing countries.
However, the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC) said in a statement that it supported Tobias as he prepares to coordinate the US response to HIV/AIDS in 12 African countries and the Caribbean.
Despite praise by Bush for his management experience, Tobias has received criticism for his lack of previous experience in HIV/AIDS work.
IAPAC believes the fresh start reflects an opportunity, in the design and delivery of international programmes, to learn from past mistakes.
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