Question

How will we get meds in Pakistan if there is the USAID ban?

29 January 2025. Related: Access to treatment, All topics.

Hi, I am worried about the USAID ban in all countries with HIV medicine. In Pakistan meds are free for people living with HIV via USAID. But after stopping aid, people living with HIV will not be able to stay well.

I am afraid that without any medicine we will face high viral load again. Everyone here is worried about this sad news.

Sir, how we manage this problem? Please help me for my community, thanks.

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

Thank you for your question – and you are right that these proposed changes will be very difficult.

However, many people are working to find ways for the aid to continue.

This is not just in Pakistan but it affects more than 20+ million people across the world.

This morning there was a news story that the proposed changes are being challenged in the US courts. This had produced a temporary waiver that might give time to arrange other ways to provide treatments.

The news is changing every day though and so I hope things will be okay, but it is a difficult time.

This is the press statement from UNAIDS.

This is a link that reports the main changes this week, including that the temporary waiver will cover HIV meds in PEPFAR:

• Impact of US elections and executive orders on global health: waiver covers PEPFAR with restrictions

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