E-DRUG: Abbott reduces ARV prices
---------------------------------
[several messages in one; first the Abbott press release, then Jamie Love's
comments, and finally the Wall Street Journal article. The latter contains a
table with the current status of company price reduction offers.
Would be interesting to know the price of Abbott's test kits, as they are
widely used. Before ARV treatment, everybody needs to be tested!
Copied as fair use. Thanks to Pharm-Policy. NN]
http://abbott.com/news/breaking_news.html
ABBOTT LABORATORIES TO OFFER AIDS DRUGS AND RAPID DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT NO
PROFIT IN AFRICA
OFFER INCLUDES ABBOTT'S PROTEASE INHIBITORS KALETRATM AND NORVIR�,
DETERMINETM TEST
Abbott Park, Illinois, March 27, 2001 � Abbott Laboratories today
announced that it will offer its two antiretroviral medications for the
treatment of HIV infection, KaletraTM (lopinavir/ritonavir) and Norvir�
(ritonavir), in Africa at no profit to Abbott.
Additionally, Abbott will make its DetermineTM HIV-1/2 rapid test
available in Africa, also at no profit to Abbott. Determine is an
easy-to-use, rapid, qualitative immunoassay test that can detect the
presence of HIV-1/2 antibodies using a small amount of whole blood,
human serum, or plasma, without instrumentation. The Determine HIV-1/2
test was specifically developed for use in settings where access to
laboratory equipment is limited.
"AIDS has taken an unprecedented toll on the health, economic, and
social structures of Africa," said Miles D. White, Abbott chairman and
chief executive officer. "Abbott has taken this action to give people
most affected by this disease a better opportunity to access care. It is
our sincere hope that this action, along with those of other
pharmaceutical companies, will lead governments and other sources of
international funding to help make a difference for millions of people
who need AIDS care. The next step in the global response is to develop
the infrastructure necessary to deliver effective treatment."
Abbott will continue its ongoing dialogue with representatives from the
World Health Organization and UNAIDS to optimize access to
antiretroviral therapies and use of diagnostic tools.
Abbott will make these products available to qualified entities that can
provide the drugs to patients in Africa as part of a sound and
sustainable therapeutic program. Qualified entities include government
and non-governmental organizations, United Nations system organizations,
and other national and international health institutions. The products
for Africa must be used in the country where they are sold and cannot be
exported.
Abbott's initiative is one of a number of steps the company has taken to
address multiple aspects of the HIV pandemic. Abbott and the company's
philanthropic arm, the Abbott Laboratories Fund, established Step
Forward�for the world's children, in June 2000. By providing funding,
medical supplies and community support, Step Forward was developed to
address the needs of AIDS orphans and vulnerable children, who,
according to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will
number 40 million by 2010. Step Forward is currently active in Tanzania,
Burkina Faso, India, and Romania. Additionally, Abbott is working
directly with the Tanzanian government on a pilot initiative to increase
access to treatment and care for the country's growing AIDS population,
which is estimated at more than 1.3 million.
About Norvir
Norvir is not a cure for HIV infection. People treated with Norvir may
continue to acquire illnesses associated with advanced HIV infection,
including opportunistic infections. Norvir may not be right for
everyone, including people with liver disease, hepatitis or hemophilia.
Redistribution/accumulation of body fat has been observed in patients
receiving protease inhibitors. Elevated blood sugar levels have been
reported in patients taking protease inhibitors. Allergic reactions
ranging from mild to severe have been reported. Pancreatitis has been
observed in patients receiving Norvir therapy, including those who
developed high triglycerides. The risk of myopathy, including
rhabdomyolysis, may be increased when Norvir is used in combination with
HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statin class of lipid-lowering drugs).
Common adverse reactions include fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of
appetite, abdominal pain, taste disturbance, tingling sensation or
numbness in the hands, feet, or around the lips, headache and dizziness.
Norvir should not be used with certain medications including some
non-sedating antihistamines, sedative hypnotics, anti-arrhythmics or
ergot alkaloid preparations. Patients should talk with their physician
or pharmacist or refer to the Norvir full prescribing information.
About Kaletra
Kaletra should not be used with certain medications. Taking certain
other drugs with Kaletra could create the potential for serious side
effects that could be life threatening. Patients should always talk to
their physician or healthcare provider before starting new medicines.
Kaletra should not be taken if a patient has had an allergic reaction to
Kaletra or any of its ingredients. Cross-resistance to other protease
inhibitors has been observed. Increased bleeding in patients with
hemophilia, and diabetes and high blood sugar have occurred in some
patients when taking protease inhibitors. Changes in body fat have been
seen in some patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. Some patients
receiving Kaletra have had large increases in triglycerides and
cholesterol. Pancreatitis and abnormal liver function have been reported
in patients receiving Kaletra.
Kaletra is not a cure for HIV infection. People treated with Kaletra may
continue to acquire illnesses associated with advanced HIV infection,
including opportunistic infections. Kaletra has not been shown to reduce
the risk of passing HIV to others through sexual contact or blood
contamination. Patients should continue to practice safe sex and should
not use or share dirty needles. In adults, the most commonly reported,
Kaletra-related side effects of moderate severity are: abdominal pain,
abnormal stools, diarrhea, feeling weak/tired, headache, nausea and
vomiting.