Biotech Company to Slash AIDS Drug Price in Africa

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Biotech Company to Slash AIDS Drug Price in Africa

Associated Press (12.18.02) - Wednesday, December 18, 2002

Gilead Sciences announced it will cut the price of its AIDS drug Viread for all of Africa and 15 UN-designated "least- developed" countries elsewhere. The company will sell the drug at "no profit," charging only for production and distribution. Gilead will supply Viread directly to qualified treatment programs. The company will create a Web site to accept applications and hopes to begin drug shipments by the middle of next year. Applying programs will be evaluated based on their ability to sustain an effective treatment program and adequately prescribe and store the drug. Gilead spokesperson Amy Flood said Tuesday the company has not determined what Viread will cost in the developing nations. The drug costs $4,320 annually per patient in the United States.
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