AEGiS-MISC: SOUTH AFRICA: Private Clinics in South Africa Urge Drug Companies to Lower Prices for AIDS Treatment
Associated Press (10.12.04) - Tuesday, October 12, 2004
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New government drug-pricing regulations require that South Africa's state-associated AIDS treatment facilities receive the lowest drug prices. However, the regulations also require drug firms to charge a higher "single exit price" to nongovernmental AIDS organizations, including charities. AIDS groups today criticized the regulations for increasing the price manufacturers charge private groups, and they urged the firms not to raise their AIDS drug prices.
Some drug companies are increasing prices beyond the means of nongovernmental groups to buy medicines, AIDS Healthcare Foundation said today in a statement. "As a result, we are unable to treat the thousands of South Africans on our waiting list, many of whom will sadly die unless access to low-priced drugs become a priority," said Michael Weinstein, president of AHF, which treats 500 patients with antiretrovirals at its Durban center. There are 3,000 people in Durban on the center's waiting list for treatment, AHF said.
"As millions of people worldwide are dying from AIDS because they are unable to access [antiretroviral] treatment, it astonishes me that drug companies continue to have the audacity and hubris to increase the already greatly inflated prices of drugs," said Weinstein.
The Network of AIDS Communities in South Africa also called on drug companies to honor their pledge to bring the lowest possible prices to nations in desperate need
Associated Press (10.12.04) - Tuesday, October 12, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New government drug-pricing regulations require that South Africa's state-associated AIDS treatment facilities receive the lowest drug prices. However, the regulations also require drug firms to charge a higher "single exit price" to nongovernmental AIDS organizations, including charities. AIDS groups today criticized the regulations for increasing the price manufacturers charge private groups, and they urged the firms not to raise their AIDS drug prices.
Some drug companies are increasing prices beyond the means of nongovernmental groups to buy medicines, AIDS Healthcare Foundation said today in a statement. "As a result, we are unable to treat the thousands of South Africans on our waiting list, many of whom will sadly die unless access to low-priced drugs become a priority," said Michael Weinstein, president of AHF, which treats 500 patients with antiretrovirals at its Durban center. There are 3,000 people in Durban on the center's waiting list for treatment, AHF said.
"As millions of people worldwide are dying from AIDS because they are unable to access [antiretroviral] treatment, it astonishes me that drug companies continue to have the audacity and hubris to increase the already greatly inflated prices of drugs," said Weinstein.
The Network of AIDS Communities in South Africa also called on drug companies to honor their pledge to bring the lowest possible prices to nations in desperate need
posted by Dr Philippe Maslo at 08:00
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