E-DRUG: Price of Coartem for governmental use (2)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Since 2001, Novartis has provided more than 6 million treatment courses of
Coartem at a not-for-profit price for use in the public sector of malaria
endemic developing countries. The prices have remained unchanged and are:
USD 0.90 for a full treatment of patients with a body weight 10-14 kg
USD 1.40 for a full treatment of patients with a body weight 15-24 kg
USD 1.90 for a full treatment of patients with a body weight 25-34kg
USD 2.40 for a full treatment of patients with a body weight 35+ kg
Each of these treatments consists of 6 doses to be taken as a 3-day
course.
The prices of artemisinin have increased sharply since last year which is
a well-known phenomenon if demand for scarce products surges.
Mr Mincke's speculation whether the Coartem price of the adult treatment
(24 tablets) would be increased from USD 2.40 to USD 3.60 is completely
erroneous. We regret that his contribution to E-drug of May 10 has caused
unnecessary confusion.
Hans Rietveld
Novartis Pharma AG
4002 Basel
Switzerland
phone +41-61-324 4020
fax +41-61-324 7399
hans.rietveld@novartis.com
www.novartis.com