Those of you in the New York area may be interested in this event.


Asia Society and Citigroup invite you to a lecture on:

Local Resources for Global Remedies:
Increasing Access Towards a Sustainable HIV/AIDS Solution

by

Dr. Krisana Kraisintu
Pharmaceutical consultant to ARV production in African countries
and former Director of the Research and Development Institute, Government
Pharmaceutical Organization, Thailand

William (Bill) Haddad, Chairman and CEO of Biogenerics, Inc. and Kevin Robert
Frost, Vice President, Global Initiatives at the American Foundation for AIDS
Research (amfAR) join Dr. Kraisintu in the discussion.

Thursday, March 3, 2005, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (Reception follows)
Asia Society and Museum, 725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, New York City

Dr. Krisana Kraisintu gained the title, "AIDS Warrior" from her peers for her
pioneering work and undeterred passion for producing affordable drugs to combat
HIV. Dr. Kraisintu, a noted Thai pharmacist, is responsible for developing
several locally produced generic antiretroviral drugs to increase drug access to
an estimated 70,000 HIV/AIDS patients in Thailand and an additional 30,000
patients in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Despite global regulatory measures to
restrict access to low cost ARV in developing countries, Kraisintu continues her
work in Africa - the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea and Tanzania - to
produce affordable HIV/AIDS generic drugs for impoverished patients.


With certain products from leading generic drug companies withdrawn from the
global market, pending reconfirmation, the future of generic antiretrovirals is
at a critical point. With now 95 % of people with HIV living in developing
countries, efforts for ensuring access to essential drugs is likewise threatened
through the WTO's Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
agreement used by pharmaceutical giants for their legal arguments to enforce
patent protection laws. Drawing from her experience in Thailand and current
work in Africa, Dr. Kraisintu will address the challenges ahead for the
international community to provide access to affordable HIV/AIDS drugs as well
as the larger and more compelling issue of responding to human, social and
development needs. She will argue for making public health a priority globally.

Advance registration is strongly recommended.
$5 Students w/ ID $7 Member/NGO $12 Nonmember
For tickets, contact the Asia Society Box Office at 212-517-ASIA, or send
complete information by fax at 212-517- 8315, or email
BoxOffice@.... Credit card required for advance registration or
reservation. Cancellation required at least 24 hours in advance to avoid
charges. Reservations that are not cancelled/claimed will be charged.

An Asian Social Issues Program and AIDS in Asia Initiative. Part of the
Citigroup Series on Asian Women Leaders.


Seema Arora
AIDS in Asia Initiative
Asia Society
725 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10021

phone: 212-327-9303
fax: 212-327-2280
email: seemaa@...