AEGiS-Bangkok Post: Generic drug maker offers cheaper Aluvia

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Generic drug maker offers cheaper Aluvia

Bangkok Post - April 25, 2007
Apiradee Treerutkuarkul

A generic drug maker in India is offering Thailand a cheaper version of the Aids drug Aluvia after Abbott Laboratories, the patent holder, offered to sell the anti-retroviral drug at a reduced price. Vichai Chokewiwat, chairman of the Public Health Ministry's panel on compulsory licencing, yesterday said a drug company in India was offering a price 15% below Abbott's new price for the patented version.

However, he said, he still expected better deals from both the original and generic producers. "Thailand is a drug buyer. We have to be smart and spend taxpayers' money on the best offer," he said.

Abbott has offered to cut the price of its life-saving Aids medicine to $1,000 (32,500 baht) per patient per year.

The price also matches the generic version sold in developing countries and the price of anti-Aids drug Kaletra, which the firm offered to the Thai government for 3,490 baht per patient per month.

Aluvia, a newer version of Kaletra, is one of several drugs for which Abbott has recently withdrawn applications for regulatory approval for use in Thailand.

The withdrawal was made in protest against the military-appointed government's decision to override the firm's Kaletra patent and allow the production and import of generic versions.

Dr Vichai welcomed Abbott's latest price offer on Aluvia, saying it was "the best deal ever". But any decision to accept or reject the offer would not be made until the existing stock of Kaletra was running out, he said.

Disease Control Department chief Thawat Sundarachan said the current stockpile should be enough to treat HIV-positive Thais until the end of this year.

Meanwhile, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturer's Association of Thailand yesterday called on the government for more dialogue about the country's generic drug programme.

"We need to work together in a spirit of joint endeavour if we are to succeed in helping Thai patients," the group said in a statement. "There is so much more that can be provided to patients by industry and government engaging in a dialogue that is focused on securing better health outcomes in Thailand."

The association represents 43 drug giants from Europe, Japan and the US.

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