Indian drug companies making cheap generic anti-AIDS drugs are viewing a landmark case in South Africa as a lucrative opening for their products in the developing world.
The world's big pharmaceutical manufacturers abandoned a legal actionagainst the South African government yesterday. The state was then free tobuy cheap AIDS drugs and the decision paved the way for other countries to dothe same.
One of India's most prominent AIDS experts Mr I.S. Gilada hailedthedecision as a "major triumph" for all developing countries andsaid it would throw the doors open to a market worth a fortune forIndian companies.
"Only three countries are manufacturing these generic drugs -India, Brazil and Thailand. In India, there are three to four firmsalready making these drugs and I expect this to soon increase tonine or 10," he said.
Indian drug company Cipla Litd had been the first to break theground with an offer to supply triple "cocktail" anti-AIDS treatmenttohumanitarian groups at $350 per person per year.
The normal cost of the cocktail on the world market isbetween $10,000 and $15,000 per year.
Mr Mukhu Hamied, joint managing director of Cipla, said "This is a terrific victory and opportunity for South Africancitizens. They will be able to get generic drugs from generic drugsuppliers at affordable prices,".
"I expect [international] prices will come down to a tenth ofwhatthey are now," Mr Hamied said. Cipla would be commerciallyoffering to sell the triple drug combination drug for $600, he said.
AFP