WHO Approves Heat-Stable, Generic Version of Abbott's Kaletra

The pharmaceutical company Mylan on Wednesday announced that the World Health Organization has approved its heat-stable, generic version of Abbott Laboratories' antiretroviral drug Kaletra, the AP/MSNBC reports. According to the company, the drug was approved under WHO's prequalification program. Kaletra is sold under the name Aluvia in developing countries, and the generic version combines lopinavir and ritonavir. India-based generic drug firm Matrix Laboratories will manufacture to drug (AP/MSNBC, 2/25). According to a Mylan statement, the approval allows the company to market 200 mg and 50 mg doses of the drug in most countries outside the U.S. and Europe (Bondre, Reuters India, 2/26). Because the drug is designed to be heat-stable and low-cost, it is more practical for distribution in countries with warm climates, according to the AP/MSNBC (AP/MSNBC, 2/25).

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