[HIV/AIDS care and prevention expenditures in Mexico: trends and estimations 1997-2002].

OBJECTIVE: This paper first presents the trend of HIV/AIDS expenditures in Mexico between 1997 and 2002. It then compares the allocation and magnitude of such expenditures within the international context and, in particular, how other countries in the region are allocating HIV/AIDS resources. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Since 1997, Mexico has developed and been utilizing a method for systematically and comprehensively analyze national resource and expenditure flows for HIV/AIDS prevention and care; an exhaustive study known as the National AIDS Account. Results. During this five year period, a systematic increase in real expenditures occurred (143% increase in total), most of which was allocated to the purchase of drugs for antiretroviral treatment. Nevertheless, compared with other countries in the region, Mexican expenditures for HIV/AIDS are less biased in their allocation between prevention and treatment. DISCUSSION: Mexico is committed to ensure universal coverage of AIDS treatment while maintaining and even increasing prevention efforts. These activities demand increasing amounts of resources. It is, therefore, important to track how efficiently such resources are being used in order to improve allocation and targeting of health resources.