JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: Sub-Saharan Africa has been devastated by the AIDS virus, and on Thursday, the United Nations announced a deal that could give millions of the world's poorest people access to lifesaving drugs. Joining us is CNN national correspondent Gary Tuchman -- Gary.</s>GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Jeanne, sub-Saharan Africa is 10 percent of the world's population, but nearly 70 percent of HIV-positive cases, according to the United Nations. So the U.N. was most pleased to announce today a breakthrough deal that will dramatically slash the price of HIV and AIDS treatments for people in developing nations in southern Africa. Five drug companies have agreed to dramatically cut prices and provide logistical support in those countries. Prices will likely go down as much as 85 percent for some of the drugs.</s>KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: The U.N.</s>DR. HELENE GAYLE, CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION: I think it's a beginning. I think there's more work that needs to be done. These are complex therapies. They need monitoring, and they need to be taken in very complex regiments. So there's a lot that needs to be done, but I think this is an important first step toward greater equity in what we can do for people with HIV.</s>TUCHMAN: And all the experts say this is just a step, because here is something to keep in mind: An estimated 90 percent of people who have HIV in sub-Saharan Africa don't even know they have it. Jeanne, back to you.</s>MESERVE: Gary Tuchman in Atlanta, thank you.
U.N. and Pharmaceutical Companies Reach Deal on AIDS Drugs for Sub-Saharan Africa