“The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today launched a new issue brief” (.pdf), titled “TRIPS transition period extensions for least-developed countries [LDCs],” a UNAIDS press release reports. “The issue brief outlines that failure to extend the transition period for least-developed countries to become fully compliant with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) could seriously impede access to lifesaving antiretroviral treatment and other essential medicines for people most in need,” the press release notes, adding, “In the issue brief, UNAIDS and UNDP urge [World Trade Organization (WTO)] members to give urgent consideration to the continued special needs and requirements of LDCs in respect of their social and economic development” (2/26).