They said in a joint statement, a copy of which was availed to the Sunday Observer recently, that DHL would be delivering MSD antiretroviral medicines, crixivan (indinavir sulfate) and stocrin (efavirenz) that are available in sub-Saharan Africa since 2001 at not-for-profit prices.

The agreement was signed in the Netherlands and the two companies would work out details to make sure the partnership works as intended.

MSD President for Human Health for Europe, Middle East, and Africa Per Wold-Olsen, said collaboration was critical in order to scale up response against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The statement explained that the agreement builds upon the existing collaboration between DHL and MSD, combining the core capabilities of the two companies to ensure rapid and flexible supply of the medicines to designated treatment centres in Africa.

“This is the first time that DHL has teamed up in a formal partnership with a research-based pharmaceutical company to help combat HIV/AIDS,” DHL Chief Executive Officer, Uwe Doerken, said.

Persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Africa who receive antiretroviral treatments through the United Nations Industry Accelerating Access Initiative doubled from around 75,000 to more than 150,000 in the last six months of 2003.