One of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, MERCK, is making a significant contribution to the Caribbean Fight Against HIV-AIDS by funding an important survey to be carried out by UWI’s HIV/AIDS Response Programme – UWI HARP. The research is intended to help design new strategies in the campaign to encourage earlier diagnosis and treatment of the disease by reducing the prevailing stigma attached to people living with the disease. The new study will be funded by a grant of over J$4.8 million from both MERCK & Co. INC and its Caribbean subsidiary. The research programme is designed to discover deficiencies in the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of pharmacists and other health care staff. The grant will help in designing a new training programme for these health care professionals who are usually the first consulted by people who think they are infected. Initially, the research will be used in upgrading the training of pharmacists and other health care workers in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados and St Lucia. The proposed study will help to identify possible gaps in knowledge and shortcomings in attitudes and professional practice which may be correctable through continuing education and training. The study begins this month and is to be completed by July 2006.