Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - October 19, 2001
Anjira Assavanonda
The drugs are taken in combination with one another, known as "cocktail therapy".
Up until now, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation has had to import some of the drugs, boosting the overall price.
By the end of the year, all drugs making up the cocktails will be made here, lowering the price to patients and improving access to the drugs.
Aids support groups have long called for government help to make the drugs cheaper.
GPO director Thongchai Tavichachart said the drugs would go into cocktail therapies in two formulas. The first formula comprises Comvir, which is a combination of AZT 300 mg and Lamivudine 150 mg, plus Nevirapine 200 mg.
The second formula comprises AZT 100 mg, ddI and Nevirapine 200 mg.
Dr Thongchai said once supplies were coming through, the price would fall to 2,300 baht a person a month from 5,000 baht now.
The first batch could supply 5,000 patients, but this would expand to up to 50,000 patients in three to four months.
Once fully underway, the project could supply 100,000 patients. The drugs would be available from state hospitals as well as private distributors, he said.
Deputy Health Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, meanwhile, said the ministry was working on boosting GPO standards in management, drugs manufacturing and price control. Restructuring was needed to make GPO a better state mechanism for intervening in the market price of drugs.
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