E-drug: Sources and prices of HIV/AIDS drugs and diagnostics
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Press release (below):
http://www.unaids.org/whatsnew/press/eng/pressarc02/jointsurvey_260602.html
Full Report (pdf):
http://www.supply.unicef.dk/insideSD/S&P.pdf
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Copenhagen/Geneva/Paris, 26 June 2002
New survey gives poor countries information on more affordable AIDS
drugs
Copenhagen/Geneva/Paris, 26 June 2002 - An updated survey of "Sources
and Prices of Selected Drugs and Diagnostics for People Living with
HIV/AIDS" to be released today by UNICEF, UNAIDS, WHO and M�decins Sans
Fronti�res (MSF) will present a list of HIV medicines, test kits and
suppliers of AIDS-related products for procurement agencies and
countries. The survey fills one of several gaps in efforts to expand
access - transparency of information from a range of different products
and sources.
The updated survey contains 123 pharmaceutical products. Apart from
anti-retroviral medicines, it includes medicines used to treat a range
of opportunistic infections, for pain relief, for use in palliative
care, and for the treatment of HIV/AIDS-related cancers and for the
management of drug dependence.
The survey also provides information on a range of HIV/AIDS test kits
for initial diagnosis of the infection, and ongoing monitoring of
antiretroviral treatment. The UN bulk procurement scheme has resulted in
an average US$2 million savings each year.
Of the more than 40 million people living with HIV/AIDS today, over 95
per cent live in developing countries. Many of them do not have access
to even the basic drugs needed to treat minor ailments, not mentioning
HIV-related infections. In many of the poorest countries, essential
drugs including painkillers, antibiotics, and tuberculosis drugs are in
desperately short supply.
Even with significant recent reductions in the prices of many of the
drugs needed in HIV/AIDS care and support, especially anti-retroviral
drugs, their affordability is one of the main barriers to their
availability in developing countries. Where cheaper alternatives exist,
many decision-makers do not have the information they need to identify
appropriate suppliers for these drugs.
The report is based on responses to a questionnaire sent to over 100
innovative and generic pharmaceutical manufacturers world-wide. This
year, a record 39 manufacturers from 20 different countries were
included in the new report.
Managed by UNICEF, the survey counts on the expertise of MSF, UNAIDS and
WHO. To access the report, please go to www.supply.unicef.dk,
www.unaids.org/,
www.who.int/medicines/organization/par/edl/access-hivdrugs.shtml ,
www.accessmed-msf.org.
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