AIDS drug pricing

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 06/13/2007 9:17 AM  |  Opinion

I fear that errors in the article ""AIDS fight 'needs better' drug access and education"" (The Jakarta Post, June 9, page 2) could give the wrong impression regarding the sustainability of government support for the antiretroviral drug program. The prices of Rp 69,000, Rp 96,000 and Rp 150,000 for Reviral, Hiviral and Neviral respectively are not per capsule, but per month. Since the pills are taken twice a day, the difference is clearly very significant.

This price is equivalent to more than US$400 per year for each person on therapy. Not mentioned is the fact that the Clinton Foundation is able to purchase a similar combination of drugs for around $100 per year. Thus it should be possible to obtain price reductions significantly greater than the 20-40 percent mentioned n the article.

It should also be noted that there are currently only five first-line drugs available in Indonesia, not seven as reported. In addition, the government is providing three second-line drugs ""with full subsidy"" to those for whom first-line therapy fails for whatever reason.

CHRIS W. GREEN
Jakarta

Note: Thank you for your information.

-- Editor

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