African Countries Spurn Free AIDS Drug

The German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim said recently that only Uganda and Botswana have accepted its offer of free supplies of nevirapine, the drug used to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission. The low take-up of Boehringer's offer highlights that, in addition to more funds and cheaper drugs, an effective response to the AIDS epidemic also requires strong political will from African countries. But some AIDS activists have criticized the way drug companies run donation programs.

Boehringer began offering free supplies of nevirapine, which is sold under the brand name of Viramune, three years ago for use by mothers. The drug is also offered at reduced price to treat AIDS patients. The company said that 44 countries were taking part in the initiative and that it was working with a number of nongovernmental organizations in Africa, but that only two national governments in the region were involved. Four South African provinces had also applied for donations.

"We are not at all satisfied with how it is running," said Rolf Krebs, chair of Boehringer. Heavy customs charges, poor logistics and lack of the necessary health care infrastructure were some of the reasons why many African countries had not taken part in the program, said Krebs.

"Because of the high level of administrative burdens, some African countries prefer to just buy the drugs," said Daniel Berman of Doctors Without Borders. "My advice would be to sell the drug at a cheap price [through normal business channels] and then you will see the orders skyrocket."

AIDS activists say developing countries will only have a reliable flow of cheaper medicines if international drug patent rules are made more flexible. Boehringer has been criticized for the complicated bureaucracy of the drug program. Krebs said steps were being taken to simplify the application process.

Back to other news for July 17, 2003