E-DRUG: New 7th version MSF Untangling the web of ARV prices
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[Thanks to MSF for yet another update of this important document!
WB]
Dear E-druggers,
Here is the link to the 7th (February 2005) edition of "Untangling the
web of price reductions: a pricing guide for the purchase of ARVs for
developing countries", prepared by Medecins Sans Frontieres' Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines.
http://www.accessmed-msf.org/documents/untanglingtheweb%207.pdf
The aim of this publication is to provide information in simple table format about the prices and suppliers of antiretroviral drugs in developing countries.
In addition, the report provides information about where the particular
price offers by pharmaceutical companies are valid, what type of treatment
provider is eligible for them as well as other conditions linked to the
offers.
Like other reports MSF has published (*),"Untangling the web" is based on
MSF's own experiences in providing AIDS treatment in over 20 developing
countries. MSF field teams are well aware that information about suppliers
and prices of ARVs is not easily found. As a result, treatment providers
end up paying very different prices depending on where they are and what
process of information gathering they went through. The report is intended
as a practical tool for all drug purchasers in developing countries to help
them procure the least expensive quality products available.
The current differential pricing practice is insufficient and cannot be
considered the sole solution to increasing access to ARVs worldwide, or to
all products that are needed. Making life-saving drugs available at
affordable prices should not depend on the goodwill of private companies ?
it is a government responsibility. Where the political will exists, people
pay less for their drugs and more people have access to them. "Untangling
the web of price reductions: a pricing guide for the purchase of ARVs for
developing countries" includes a set of policy recommendations addressed to
originator and generic companies, national authorities and international
organizations to help ensure that populations of developing countries
systematically benefit from quality products at a lower price.
The aim of this report is not to compare prices of ARVs from different
companies or between countries. The methodology used in this report is
inadequate to do so, despite the fact that a 10 % has been added to those
offers that do not include shipping costs (**).
For additional information, also consult "Sources and prices of selected
medicines and diagnostics for people living with HIV/AIDS". July, 2004,
WHO-EDM/UNAIDS/UNICEF/MSF-joint project.
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(*) Surmounting Challenges: Procurement of Antiretroviral Medicines in Low-
and Middle Income Countries. The experience of Midecins Sans Frontihres.
2003.
Drug Patents Under the Spotlight: Sharing practical knowledge about
pharmaceutical patents. 2004.
Links to these documents can be found on www.accessmed-msf.org
(**) International Drug Price Indicator Guide, Management Sciences for
Health (MSH), 2003. "It is reasonable for estimation purposes to add a 10
to 15% for shipping costs to the listed price for suppliers in this Guide"
(EXW, FOB).
regards
Fernando Pascual Martmnez
MSF Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines
Tel. +41 228 498 407
Fernando.PASCUAL@geneva.msf.org