Doctors: Patents keep HIV drugs too pricy to use

July 02, 2013 22:22

Doctors Without Borders warned today that rising intellectual property rights are blocking the generic production of newer drugs to treat HIV and are keeping them out of reach for developing countries.

The medical aid group said at an international AIDS meeting here that prices of older drugs long used to treat patients have fallen sharply as India and other countries make generics.

But newer drugs that are more effective against the AIDS virus are too expensive, costing up to 15 times more.

"It's good news that the price of key HIV drugs continues to fall as more generic companies compete for the market, but the newer medicines are still priced far too high," said Jennifer Cohn, medical director for Doctors Without Borders' access campaign.

"We need the newer treatments for people that have exhausted all other options, but patents keep them priced beyond reach."

Patients can be treated with a combination of three or four older drugs, but those who develop resistance to them need the expensive newer medicines.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Deepak Chahar doesn't look good: Fleming on his possible injury

Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming admitted that seamer Deepak Chahar's latest injury "doesn't look good" but he is hoping for a positive report from the franchise's medical team ahead of the business phase of the ongoing IPL.

'Modi's Speech Is A Response To Congress Obsession With Vote Bank Politics'

'The Congress wants to distort the very fabric of Indian society because they are obsessed with vote bank politics.'

After Laapataa Ladies, Get Ready For...

'I am developing a supernatural thriller, a comedy-drama series and several other projects as well.'

'SRH wish to play an aggressive brand of cricket'

Ahead of his side's clash against Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League 2024 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Sunrisers Hyderabad assistant coach Simon Helmot said that they want to play an aggressive brand of cricket...

How The Heat Wave Will Affect Your Kitchen

Apart from the human body, human food will bear direct repercussions. From staples such as wheat, to coffee, dairy, and even the great Hilsa face the threat of reduced supply due to the extreme heat.