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Gilead not meeting cheap ARV promise - MSF

    JOHANNESBURG

    Multinational drug manufacturer Gilead Sciences is yet to reduce the cost of its antiretroviral drug, Viread, in developing countries, international medical NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said.

    According to MSF, the drug was available in only five African countries, despite Gilead's pledge in December 2002 to offer Viread at cost price to all African nations.

    MSF HIV/AIDS specialist Alexandra Calmy noted in a recent statement, "Other than issuing press releases and empty promises, [Gilead] has done little to ensure that the medicine is available to those who need it most in developing countries."

    Gilead said the process for regulatory approval of Viread had proven to be more time-consuming than anticipated, with applications in some of the recipient countries pending for more than two years.

    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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