E-DRUG: Donated fluconazole stolen in Uganda
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[it was bound to happen: fluconazole sells for up to USD 12 per capsule in
the private sector, but are donated for free by Pfizer to developing
countries to be used for cryptococcal meningitis treatment/secondary
prevention and oesophageal candidiasis in AIDS patients in government
clinics. The donated drugs are tablets, whereas the private sector drugs
are capsules. Pfizer had insisted on special precautions in distribution
systems. Sad if healthworkers are involved, and sad for the many AIDS
patients needing the fluconazole to survive.
In South Africa fluconazole is stored and distributed as a narcotic drug
(with the morphone). Anyway, let's hope that the donation does not dry up.
The fluconazole patent has meanwhile expired in most countries, so why
doesn't the private sector buy generic fluconazole at USD 0.10-0.20 per
capsule?
Crossposted from AF-AIDS with thanks; WB]
HIV/Aids Drugs for Needy Stolen -AEGIS