Cheap HIV drugs for Russia

LONDON – British pharmaceutical group GlaxoSmithKline said on Friday that it had agreed to supply the Russian government with HIV drugs at discounted prices.

GSK said in a statement that the move would help the Russian government to meet its target of reaching 15 000 infected patients by the end of 2006. “Under the terms of the agreement, GSK will supply over 90 000 treatment packs to the Russian government of its HIV medicines: Combivir, Epivir and Ziagen, by the end of 2006,” the British company said.The agreement was the first direct, federal purchase of anti-retroviral medicines in Russia, GSK said, without stating the cost of the drugs.”Today’s agreement will significantly increase access to HIV treatment in Russia,” said Andrew Witty, president of Pharmaceuticals Europe, GlaxoSmithKline.”GSK has a long-standing commitment to improving access to its HIV medicines across the world and is delighted to continue this, by playing a full part in supporting the efforts of the Russian government.”Nampa-AFP”Under the terms of the agreement, GSK will supply over 90 000 treatment packs to the Russian government of its HIV medicines: Combivir, Epivir and Ziagen, by the end of 2006,” the British company said.The agreement was the first direct, federal purchase of anti-retroviral medicines in Russia, GSK said, without stating the cost of the drugs.”Today’s agreement will significantly increase access to HIV treatment in Russia,” said Andrew Witty, president of Pharmaceuticals Europe, GlaxoSmithKline.”GSK has a long-standing commitment to improving access to its HIV medicines across the world and is delighted to continue this, by playing a full part in supporting the efforts of the Russian government.”Nampa-AFP