E-DRUG: New paper on ARV prices 2002-2008
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Dear E-Druggers
We would like to inform you of a newly published study “Temporal trends in generic and brand prices of antiretroviral medicines procured with donor funds in developing countries”. The paper is published in the Journal of Generic Medicines and available at:
http://www.palgrave-journals.com/jgm/journal/v7/n2/full/jgm20106a.html
The paper describes ARV prices for 19,432 ARV purchases by 113 countries from July 2002-June 2008. Notable findings include dramatic price reductions for generic ARVs whereby NRTIs, NNRTIs, and FDCs decreased 62%, 72%, and 58%, respectively, while generic PI prices decreased 37%. Branded NRTIs and NNRTIs decreased only 12% and 29%, respectively, while branded PIs decreased 80%.
Price variation was much greater among branded than generic ARV purchases, especially in middle-income countries (July 2007-June 2008). Among low-income countries, 19% of generic and 20% of branded dosage forms revealed price variations of three-fold or greater. Two generic and two branded ARVs revealed price variations greater than 5-fold.
Among middle-income countries, 18% of generic and 60% of branded dosage forms revealed price variations of three-fold or greater. One generic and ten branded ARVs revealed price variations greater than 5-fold.
The paper reveals the importance of generic competition to achieve substantial price reduction; but also shows the need for greater price reduction and generic competition to make tenofovir and the PIs more accessible. The paper also suggests that some countries are paying excessively high prices and that improvements in procurement are needed to maximize spending efficiency.
The research was possible through funding and other support from the United Kingdom Department for International Development.
On behalf of all co-authors,
Brenda Waning
Director of Pharmaceutical Policy
Boston University School of Medicine
Boston, MA USA 02118
Email: bwaning@bu.edu