AIDS Group Launches Ad Campaign Criticizing Bristol-Myers for its AIDS Drug Prices in Mexico

In a new ad campaign, the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is calling on Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. to cut its prices for two AIDS drugs in Mexico. An ad ran Thursday in the Los Angeles Weekly; the campaign is also set to run in New York's Village Voice and Mexico City's La Jornada.

Like other drug makers, Bristol-Myers sells AIDS drugs at steep discounts to very poor countries. But, according to AHF, Mexico's status as a middle-income nation means it cannot qualify for the lowest prices.

"In Mexico, Bristol-Myers Squibb charges four times as much for Reyataz and Videx as it does in the least-developed countries of Africa and parts of Asia, a cold-hearted business calculation which effectively makes these drugs out of reach for nearly all people living with HIV/AIDS in Mexico," AHF President Michael Weinstein said in a statement.

In its response, Bristol-Myers said it prices HIV drugs to ensure patients around the world can access them. The company said its prices for Mexico and other middle-income countries are developed based on such criteria as affordability, HIV incidence, and government's commitment to treat the disease.

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