August 7, 2009

Bill Clinton and Drugmakers Announce Cheaper HIV, TB Meds for Developing Countries

On August 6, former U.S. President Bill Clinton and pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Matrix Laboratories Ltd. announced a partnership to lower the cost of second-line HIV therapy, which will benefit those living with drug-resistant forms of the virus in developing countries, Reuters reports.

According to the article, the deal applies to second-line antiretroviral therapies and a drug used to treat tuberculosis—the leading cause of death among HIV-positive people worldwide—both of which will be available at a reduced cost. “Today’s announcement will help ensure we can sustain treatment over a lifetime and better treat patients with both HIV and TB, two key steps in turning the tide of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic,” Clinton told reporters Thursday at the William J. Clinton Foundation’s headquarters in Manhattan.

Beginning in 2010, Matrix will make four drugs available for $425 per year, which amounts to $400 million in savings over the next five years. Matrix will also create a more convenient one-pill-a-day regimen.

Pfizer will offer rifabutin, a tuberculosis drug, for just $1 per day or $90 for a six-month course of treatment.

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Mike, , 2009-08-12 15:30:52
How about some price relief for those of us in the US too. Great that other are being helped but we are part of the "global issue" too

scottredleter, , 2009-08-07 18:10:30
I think this is great... I would really think it was great if I could get my drugs for $450 a year too...