Serono to Renege on Deal!!

As you may recall, over a year ago members of the AIDS advocacy community negotiated a pricing agreement with Serono Laboratories, Inc. regarding the market price of the first and only FDA-approved drug Serostim (a human growth hormone) to treat "AIDS Wasting Syndrome."

Part of the deal included a "Treatment Continuation Program" for those patients requiring more than $36,000 worth of the product each year. Upon presenting pharmacy receipts documenting use of $36,000 worth of Serostim, Serono would continue to provide the drug to patients without charge for the remainder of that year. Unfortunately, right at the time when patients are beginning to incur this significant cost and finally have a chance to participate in the program, the company has decided to change the requirements for eligibility.

Now, instead of accepting a pharmacy print-out documenting that $36,000 worth of the drug had been distributed to the patient, Serono is requiring that a patient's insurance carrier must produce documentation that actual reimbursement has been made.

This creates a serious treatment problem for patients suffering from AIDS Wasting Syndrome because there is usually a two to three month lag-time from the date the prescription is filled and when one's insurance company makes reimbursement.

ACTION: There is a short window of opportunity to keep this new hurdle from going into effect, but the company needs to hear from the AIDS community today. Organizations and individuals should call John Bruin, Product Marketing Manager, Serono Laboratories, Inc. at 1-800-283-8088.

Tell Serono that:

• There is no justification for such a burdensome new requirement;
• It is designed for the sole purpose of limiting access to this vital and life-saving treatment program for those who need it the most; and
• It violates the agreement Serono made with the AIDS community last year.

AIDS Action Council
1875 Connecticut Avenue NW #700
Washington DC 20009
202-986-1300, extension 3053
202-986-1345 (fax)
202-332-9614 (tty)
E-Mail: aidsaction@aidsaction.org