Cipla slashes anti-AIDS drug prices by 30%

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Cipla slashes anti-AIDS drug prices by 30%

P.T. Jyothi Datta

Mumbai , Aug. 14

CIPLA has slashed the price on its antiretroviral (ARV) or anti-AIDS drugs range

by 25 to 30 per cent in the domestic market.

In a letter to doctors, the company said that patients could save more than Rs

360 per month on combination drugs such as Triomune and about Rs 450 per month

on another anti-AIDS drug Duovir.

Triomune is a combination or a three-in-one pill combining Lamivudine, Stavudine

and Nevirapine. Given the standard regimen of these drugs, Cipla indicated that

the new cost per month of Triomune would be about Rs 1,239. This stands compared

to its earlier cost of Rs 1,602 per month.

Duovir combines Lamivudine, Zidovudine and Nevirapine and the new cost to the

patient is Rs 1,350, compared to the previous cost of Rs 1,800, the Cipla note

said.

" The price cuts are part of the company's commitment to AIDS patients and we

have been slashing prices over the last four years. We are looking at making the

drugs more affordable to patients and there is no other reason behind the timing

of these announcements, " Mr Amar Lulla, Joint Managing Director of Cipla, told

Business Line. Responding to the toll price cuts will take on the company's

revenues, he said: " We are not looking at the issue from a revenue stand point.

The company has been doing this over the last several years. "