UNITAID, Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative Reach Agreement With Generic HIV/AIDS Drug Manufacturers to Lower Prices

UNITAID and the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative on Friday announced a bulk purchasing agreement with a group of generic drug manufacturers that will reduce the price of some antiretroviral drugs in developing countries, Reuters reports. The discounted prices have been reached for 41 adult and pediatric medications at an average discount of 16% compared with 2008, according to Reuters (Hirschler, Reuters, 4/16).

The agreement will reduce the cost of a generic, second-line regimen that contains tenofovir, lamivudine and lopinavir/ritonavir by 18% and 39% compared with average prices in low- and middle-income countries, respectively (UNITAID/Clinton Foundation release, 4/17). Under the agreement, the new cost will be $590 annually, compared with more than $700 one year ago (Reuters, 4/16). The agreement also includes three generic suppliers, which will provide heat-stable lopinavir/ritonavir for $470 per patient annually. In addition, the agreement includes a lower price -- $210 per patient annually -- for a first-line, once-daily treatment that includes tenofovir, lamivudine and efavirenz. The new cost is 37% lower than the current average market price in low-income countries (UNITAID/Clinton Foundation release, 4/17).