Share

Clinton strikes deal for cheap HIV drugs

Former US president Bill Clinton announced a deal Thursday with two major US drug companies to supply cheap HIV/Aids and tuberculosis treatments to developing countries.

Under the agreement, Mylan and its subsidiary Matrix will make available a second-line therapy of four antiretroviral drugs for less than 500 dollars (R4,000) annually.

The four drugs - atazanavir, ritonavir, tenofovir and lamivudine - will be sold as three pills, with tenofovir and lamivudine combined into a single pill, at 475 dollars (R3,800) a year. Starting in 2010, the pills will be packaged together for 425 dollars R3,400).

Discount of R3.2 billion
The discount will translate to 400 million dollars (R3.2 billion) in savings over the next five years compared to prices usually paid for alternative regimens, the Clinton Foundation said.

In addition, Pfizer is to reduce the price and expand availability of rifabutin, which is used to treat tuberculosis in patients taking second-line antiretroviral drugs. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death among HIV-positive patients.

Clinton said that his Global Foundation, which he established after leaving office, had helped two million people with HIV/Aids access treatment. "Today's announcement will help ensure we can sustain treatment over a lifetime and better treat patients with both HIV and TB, two key steps in turning the tide of the global HIV/Aids pandemic," he said in a statement.

The new HIV/Aids products will be available at reduced prices to governments taking part in the Clinton Foundation's Procurement Consortium across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, of which South Africa is not one.

Pfizer's TB drug, rifabutin, will sell at one dollar (R8) per dose, or 90 dollars (R720) for a full course, six-month treatment. The price will be available throughout developing markets in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and the Caribbean. – (Sapa, August 2009)

Read more:
HIV/Aids Centre

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE