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Show CHARLES H. MONSON PRIZE WINNER SPRING 2013 regulations, though important, is not the only issue inhibiting greater HIV/AIDS medication accessibility in resource-limited countries. Fundamental issues, such as lack of infrastructure, large percentages of infected persons living in rural areas, government corruption and inefficiency, lack of economic prosperity, and social stigma are enormous obstacles to be overcome before widespread access to these medications can truly be realized. It is also important to recognize the great strides being made toward treating and preventing the HIV/AIDS virus around the world. According to the most recent statistics from the United Nations, "the number in worldwide AIDS-related deaths fell to 1.7 million last year [2011] - d o w n from a peak of 2.3 million in 2005 and from some 1.8 million in 2010" (Beasley & Miles, 2012). It is undeniable that progress in the fight toward drug accessibility is being made. However, approximately 2.6 million new HIV infections were documented in 2009 in developing countries alone (WIPO, 2011). Furthermore, over 15 million people require treatment for HIV/AIDS today, and that number is expected to increase in the next four years, to an estimated 30 million people requiring treatment (Gilead Sciences, 2011). Thus, the number of new infections continues to eclipse the number of AIDS-related deaths, and the epidemic continues to spread. The fight is far from over, and while it is encouraging to take note of the progress that has been made since the original outbreak of the epidemic, that encouragement must not lead to complacence or weakening of worldwide resolve for combating the spread of the infection and the barriers toward treatment. 54 |