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Roche to extend drop in HIV/AIDS drug price

    JOHANNESBURG

    Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche on Thursday said it would extend substantial cuts in the existing price of the HIV/AIDS drugs Invirase and Viracept to developing countries.

    "The non-profit prices are designed to facilitate greatest possible access to HIV/AIDS drugs in the hardest hit regions of the world ... we ask these governments to eliminate tax and duty mark-ups for these essential medicines," William Burns, head of Roche Pharmaceuticals, said in a statement.

    Roche said the US $66.45 for a month's supply will only be charged to governments, non-profit health care organisations and NGOs.

    "While our policy has significantly reduced prices and removed patent issues as barriers to HIV/AIDS therapy, it would be wrong to suggest that we can solve the problem through these steps alone," Burns added.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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