More Low-Cost AIDS Drugs for Africa

Two antiviral medications for the treatment of HIV infection, lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra) and ritonavir (Norvir), will be offered in Africa by Abbott Laboratories (Abbott Park, IL, USA) at no profit to the company. The offer follows a similar offer announced recently by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

In addition, Abbott will make its HIV-1/2 rapid test, Determine, available in Africa, also at no profit to the company. Determnine is an easy-to-use qualitative immunoassay that detects the presence of HIV-1/2 antibodies using a small amount of whole blood, serum or plasma, without instrumentation. The test was especially developed for use in settings where access to laboratory equipment is limited. The products for Africa must be used in the country where they are sold and cannot be exported. An international health care consulting firm, Axios International (Kampala, Uganda), will coordinate the drug distribution program on behalf of Abbott.

"It is our sincere hope that this action, along with those of other pharmaceutical companies, will lead governments and other sources of international funding to help make a difference for millions of people who need AIDS care.,” said Miles D. White, chairman and CEO of Abbott. "The next step in the global response is to develop the infrastructure necessary to deliver effective treatment.”





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