The United Nation has said the world can end the AIDS epidemic within fifteen years, but senior officials said that would only be possible by breaking the pharmaceutical industries tight grip on government policies.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a report released in Ethiopia today said reaching the goal would be difficult but achievable. The UNAIDS, the global body's agency focusing on the disease, says the UN Millennium Development Goal to halt and reverse the spread of the disease has been achieved.

The landmark figure was reached in March, nine months ahead of schedule. It follows decades of global efforts and investment to get anti-retroviral drugs to those in need, such as people living in sub-Saharan Africa.

UNAIDS is driving efforts to end the epidemic by 2030 by enabling everyone to have access to prevention services, treatment and support.