The Making of PEPFAR

In a recent address, Harold Varmus, Director of the National Cancer Institute, recounts the early stages of development of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  Dr. Jean William Pape, Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell and Director of GHESKIO, in Haiti, is highlighted as 1 of just 4 experts in HIV/AIDS that were asked by President George Bush, to weigh in on the potential impact and success of PEPFAR before he officially proposed it in 2003.

PEPFAR has provided support for the treatment, prevention, and care of HIV with remarkable success since its inception in 2003.  The program has expanded from 15 beneficiary countries to 80; supplied antiretroviral drugs to over 5 million people; prevented HIV transmission to over 1 million newborns; and tested over 50 million people for HIV thereby reducing the rates of transmission.   In its 10th year, PEPFAR is being evaluated as a model for addressing deficiencies in other sectors.  Access the full article in Science and Diplomacy here.

Dr. Jean William Pape