The Brazilian government recently reached an agreement with the producers of the HIV/AIDS drug Kaletra to reduce its price by 29.5 per cent.
Following the deal, Thailand has also demanded higher cuts than those in Brazil from the drug's producers Abbott Laboratories Inc.
The cost per patient per year for Kaletra in Brazil has been fixed at US $1,000. In June 2005, the Brazilian government had threatened to issue a
compulsory licence for Kaletra. After four months of negotiations, Abbott dropped the price by 47 per cent with each Kaletra dose costing US $1.04
until 2007. But the recent deal fixed the price of each tablet at 73 US cents in 2007 and 68 US cents in 2008.
Later in the year, a new form of Kaletra will be out in Brazilian markets that does not require refrigeration. Only four doses of the new drug need to
be taken every day rather than the present six doses. The company is also planning to cut the price for 45 other low and low-middle income
developing countries.
Brazil provides HIV/AIDS drug free to an estimated 600,000 patients in the country at a cost of US $11.4 million per year.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.