Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - November 30, 2006
Three Indian pharmaceutical companies have agreed to supply antiretroviral, or ARV, formulations for HIV-positive children at prices as low as 15 U.S. cents a day, or $54 annually, according to the statement by the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative.
Clinton was due to announce the deal in a speech at a New Delhi children's hospital ahead of world AIDS Day on Dec. 1.
Under the agreement, the three companies - Cipla Ltd. (500087.BY), Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. (524804.BY), and Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. (500359.BY), - will supply 19 different ARV formulations for prices that would be around 45% less than the lowest current rates for these drugs in developing countries, the statement said.
"Though the world has made progress in expanding HIV/AIDS treatment to adults, children have been left behind. Only one in 10 children who needs treatment is getting it," the statement quoted the former president as saying.
In January Clinton negotiated the reduction of prices of rapid HIV tests and anti-AIDS drugs for adults. Several Indian firms were involved in that deal too.
UNITAID, the international drug purchase facility, established in September by France, Brazil, Chile, Norway and the U.K., would help subsidize the program.
Under the deal, UNITAID would provide $35 million and the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative would contribute $15 million, which would enable an additional 100,000 HIV-positive children in 62 countries to receive treatment in 2007.
Clinton was due to speak at the Kalawati Saran Hospital, one of New Delhi's busiest hospitals for children, at the launch of a new national program by the Indian government to treat HIV-positive children. India, with 5.7 million HIV-positive people, has the highest number of cases in the world.
The new deal would provide HIV treatments for 10,000 Indian children by March 2007 by adding pediatric care to all adult HIV and AIDS treatment centers in the country.
France's Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, who is the chairman of UNITAID, is also set to attend Thursday's event.
Clinton, whose two-year appointment as U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special tsunami envoy ends Dec. 31, is visiting India, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia - all countries hardest hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004 that killed more than 216,000 people in 12 countries.
061130
AP061164
Copyright © 2006 - Associated Press. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AP Permissions Desk.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2006. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2006. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .