E-DRUG: MSF analysis of Roche price reductions on NFV, SQV
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Dear e-druggers,
Regarding Roche's announced price "reduction" last week for Viracept
(nelfinavir) and Invirase (saquinavir), we thought you might be interested
in our comparison of the old and new prices in US dollar terms.
As you'll see, in US dollar terms, the prices actually *rise* for
nelfinavir 250mg tabs and saquinavir 200mg caps in sub-Saharan Africa and
LDCs, and also for nelfinavir 250mg tabs, nelfinavir powder for suspension
and saquinavir 200mg caps in low-income and lower-middle-income countries.
(Interestingly, Roche is virtually the only major drug company to still
quote their prices in a currency other than US dollars.)
Nelfinavir and saquinavir are both important drugs, but unfortunately Roche
still doesn't take its responsibilities to patients seriously. In our view,
the Roche communications was in fact misleading.
Thanks, Sean