Amparo action seeking supply of drugs needed to treat HIV/AIDS. Court order requiring Instituto Venezolano de Seguros Sociales to supply the drugs on a regular and consistent basis. Effect of decision extended to cover all persons in the same situation.
On December 2, 2002, the Constitutional Division confirmed its decision dated April 6, 2001 in Loreto Tabares y otros (see decision at http://www.tsj.gov.ve/decisiones/scon/Diciembre/3013-021202-02-0481.htm
and attached). The action had been filed by a group of patients against IVSS alleging its failure to supply drugs with the frequency required by the physicians prescribing them.
The significance of this case lies in the court’s acknowledgment of common rights, i.e. the legitimacy of the petitioners to represent the whole affected group. This enables all HIV-positive persons covered by IVSS to invoke this decision without having to resort to the courts.
Petitioners:
Programa Venezolano de Educación-Acción en Derechos Humanos (PROVEA)
and
Acción Ciudadana contra el SIDA (ACCSI).