E-DRUG: Prices of Norvir (generic name Ritonavir) in 2010
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http://keionline.org/prices/ritonavir
Prices of Norvir (generic name Ritonavir) in 2010
KEI Research Note 2010:4
August 12, 2010
Anne Mira Guha
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James Love, Director, Knowledge Ecology International
http://www.keionline.org | http://www.twitter.com/jamie_love
Wk: +1.202.332.2670 | US Mobile +1.202.361.3040 | Geneva Mobile +41.76.413.6584
james.love@keionline.org
E-DRUG: Prices of Norvir (generic name Ritonavir) in 2010 (2)
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The Clinton Foundation reports in its 2010 ARV price list that Matrix offers ritonavir at $90/pppy but that the Matrix product has not yet been approved by WHO Prequalification or by the Global Fund's Expert Review Panel.
It seems that Abbott, unlike almost all the other innovators, is continuing
to try to beat the best generic price with its low-income/sub-Saharan Africa discount pricing offers on LPN/r and ritonavir. Although this has the advantage of making the medicines available at a low price, it has the
subsidiary effect of deterring and delaying generic entry and redundancy of
of supply. It will also potentially delay introduction of rational fixed
dose combinations whereby ritonavir is used to boost other protease
inhibitors.
Brook
Professor Brook K. Baker
Health GAP (Global Access Project)
Northeastern U. School of Law
Program on Human Rights and the Global Economy
400 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115 USA
Honorary Research Fellow, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, S. Africa
(w) 617-373-3217
(cell) 617-259-0760
(fax) 617-373-5056
b.baker@neu.edu
E-DRUG: Prices of Norvir (generic name Ritonavir) in 2010 (3)
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Dear colleagues,
Following the contribution from Prof Baker on this subject, I would like to know whether there is an expectation that big pharma should not make entry into the generic market, or not make special discounted prices to governments. Is there some sort of deterence against some of pharmaceutical industry from making serious and considered position in terms of public health objectives? I gather that the pharmaceutical industry remains one of the most competitive, even within the market for public health. The clear demand for affordable prices for essential medicines for public health programmes has over the years compelled companies to set up either susbisdiaries to make generic medicines, or alternatively, the companies have made tiered pricing strategies in which governments are provided a specific price for essential medicines.
At the end of the day, any quality assured essential medicines, be they generic or brand/patent, should be made affordable within, and sustainably available to public health programmes. All recommendations point to that position. However, 'tricks of the trade' meant to 'lock out' others should be closely monitored by the appropriate bodies (are there sanctions against such practices, if indeed this practice is recognised?). I would suggest that pharma industry as a whole needs to have one priority objective, which it to make quality essential medicines readily available and affordable at all times for public health programmes.
Regards,
Bonnie
Bonface Fundafunda PhD., MBA., B.Pharm
Manager, Drug Supply Budget Line
Ministry of Health,
P.O. Box 30205,
Ndeke House,
Lusaka,
Zambia
Tel: +260 211 25 41 83
Fax: +260 211 25 33 44
Mobile: + 260 979 25 29 00
Email: bcfunda@hotmail.com