E-drug: Supply crisis of BMS ARVs in Kenya
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Below is a letter that was sent by the Kenya Coalition (a national
grouping of organisations and individuals advocating for access to
treatment) regarding a supply crisis in Kenya of two antiretrovirals
produced by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS). I am posting this first to
share the information that although BMS has devised an excellent
strategy of offering discounted ARVs in sub-Saharan Africa through
most traditional distribution channels, there is currently no drug
supply available in Kenya for two BMS ARV formulations.
MSF has been in direct contact with BMS and they are working on a
long-term solution with new packaging and a revised distribution
system. But we are gravely concerned for people with AIDS in Kenya
that currently are without ddI and d4t because of BMS supply problems.
This crisis of supply needs to be addressed in the short as well as
long term.
Since MSF has operational centers in Europe we were able to secure
drugs in France to supply our AIDS treatment project in Kenya and BMS
plans to refund us the difference between what we paid and the
discounted price in Kenya. We are grateful to BMS for making this
accommodation but remain concerned that many Kenyan clinics,
physicians, pharmacies and patients do not have the option of buying
abroad.
We are wondering if this supply problem with BMS products is
restricted to Kenya or is also happening in other African countries?
Previously we have witnessed shortages of other discounted proprietary
company antiretrovirals. We are also wondering, at this time, if there
are shortages of other companies' ARV products?
Daniel Berman
MSF Access to Essential Medicines Campaign
daniel_berman@msf.org
www.accessmed-msf.org