Washington, D.C. — Despite opposition from congressional Republicans, the Bush administration indicated Tuesday that it will not reverse a Clinton executive order that makes it easier for poor African nations to secure AIDS drugs inexpensively.

"The HIV/AIDS crisis is a terrible tragedy for countries, families and individuals," the office of the United States Trade Representative said in a brief statement. "USTR is not considering a change in the present flexible policy."

Global trade rules contain a loophole permitting countries to bypass patent protection during national health emergencies. More than 40 international drug companies are challenging this in South Africa where the government is trying to import or manufacture cut-rate generic AIDS drugs.

Such generic drugs could bring the price of AIDS "cocktail" combinations, which in the United States range from $10,000 to $15,000 a year, down to several hundred dollars in poor nations.

Pharmaceutical companies view cheap generic drugs as threatening to their profits and fear that such drugs will make their way into the U.S. if permitted in developing nations.

An estimated 22 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are believed to be infected with the AIDS virus. Most cannot afford the latest, expensive treatment.

The complete text of the USTR statement:

"The HIV/AIDS crisis is a terrible tragedy for countries, families and individuals. USTR is not considering a change in the present flexible policy. Consistent with our overall effort to protect America's investments in intellectual property, USTR will seek to contribute to Administration efforts to work with countries that develop serious programs to prevent and treat this horrible disease."