Brazil to receive discounted anti-AIDS medicine

Brazil’s government and U.S. drug manufacturer Abbott Laboratories reached a deal that would discount a vital anti-AIDS medicine. The drug- Kaletra- will be sold for 68 cents per unit next year instead of $1.04 per unit, and the move is expected to save Brazil’s government nearly $11.5 million yearly.

Brazil has provided free AIDS treatment to its citizens since 1997 and the country’s Health Minister- Jose Temporao- praised Abbott for its willingness to offer Kaletra (image) at a cheaper price:

“Abbott created a positive atmosphere of discussion and cooperation with the government, which allowed us to reach an agreement. Other laboratories should follow Abbott's example.”

This is not the first time Abbott has agreed to cut the price of Kaletra; in 2005, Brazil and Abbott agreed to lower the price of Kaletra by almost 50%. Two months ago, Brazil broke the patent for an anti-AIDS drug sold by Merck and instead opted to sell a cheaper generic version.

Sources- Reuters, BBC News, Boston.com, Bloomberg, The Latin Americanist

Image- aegis.com