Today I want to dispel this myth, because it is absolutely not true .[ that ARV's work ] The pharmaceutical industry and those who have a vested interest in the drug industry fuels this propaganda.

South Africa is the only country in the world who gives AZT to health workers for needle-stick injuries. It's very doubtful that we're doing the right thing.

AZT was never meant to treat HIV. It was meant to treat cancer and, when it was discovered to be toxic, the drug companies stopped clinic trials of the drug because it was so toxic. Is this drug really one we want to use?

We (the ANC government) have no plans to introduce the wholesale administration of these drugs in the public sector. ARVs are not a cure for Aids.

I can't stop working. The health of the nation depends on it.

I don't know how many [South Africans] with HIV would want to take anti-retrovirals.

The fact is that some of the mice [tested on with AZT] have contracted cancer. It attacks bone marrow. It is very toxic.