Offer to Sell AIDS Drugs at a Discount in Africa Is Met With Caution, Uncertainty

Cipla, an Indian drug firm, has yet to receive any major takers for its offer of selling cheaper AIDS drugs to developing nations with the help of the Doctors Without Borders Organization. The reasons for the reluctance stem from governments and agencies still mulling over how to best deal with AIDS and their inability to afford the drugs even at the sharply reduced prices. The countries and organizations are also uncertain about Doctors Without Borders' role with the initiative, though the group's top official, Bernard Pecoul, insists that his organization will not develop into a global AIDS drug distributor. Cipla also has to address the issues of whether the price will remain the same, whether it has adequate inventory, and if it is free from the potential of patent infringement lawsuits.