March 20, 2002: The World Health Organization, UNAIDS and UNICEF jointly release their first list of safe AIDS drugs and manufacturers. It includes generics companies as well as patent-holding companies; and it includes both antiretrovirals and drugs for opportunistic infections. The organizations are still reviewing other drugs and manufacturers, so the list will grow longer as more inspections are completed.

• List of Drugs and Suppliers.
• Joint press release with UNAIDS and UNICEF.
• Response of Medicins Sans Frontieres.
• News Stories
  • March 21, 2002. Donald McNeil for the New York Times. New List of Safe AIDS Drugs, Despite Industry Lobby.
  • March 21, 2002. Business Standard. India firms among eight companies selected worldwide Cipla, Abott find place in WHO's HIV drugs list.
  • March 21, 2002. Naomi Kopple for the Associatied Press. WHO Approves Generic AIDS Drugs.
  • March 21, 2002. Naomi Kopple for the Associatied Press. Drug manufacturers: approving generic AIDS drugs could reduce quality.
  • March 21, 2002. Rajesh Mahapatra for the Associated Press. India hails U.N. approval of generic AIDS drugs as a step forward.
  • March 21, 2002. Reuters. Aid group urges U.N. to speed AIDS drug advice.
  • March 20, 2002. Geoff Dyer for the Financial Times. WHO decision opens way for copies of Aids drugs.
  • March 20, 2002. Reuters. Cipla in WHO AIDS drugs supplier list.
  • March 20, 2002. Mrinalini Datta for Bloomberg News. WHO Clears 16 AIDS Drugs for Distribution by UN; Cipla to Gain.
  • March 20, 2002. UN Foundation Newswire. WHO Publishes First List Of Recommended Drugs.