In Asia-Pacific Regions Over 1 Million Expected To Be Infected With AIDS In 2004

BANGKOK, THAILAND - MAY 17: Supa Hannongbua a scientist from Thailand works on a cheap drug to fight the AIDS viruses in a laboratory iMay 17, 2004 in Bangkok, Thailand. More than 400 people are cared for at this temple in rural Thailand. A million people in the Asia and Pacific region became infected with HIV in 2003, while more than half a million people died from AIDS-related causes. UNAIDS says the appalling figures will be higher in 2004. Thailand is one of the few countries making generic anti-AIDS drugs after overcoming challenges by European and U.S. pharmaceutical giants in a global patent fight. The 146-nation World Trade Organization agreed last September to allow poor nations to make copies of branded medicines to fight killer diseases in times of national health crises. (Photo by Palani Mohan/Getty Images)