Study Analyzes Antiretroviral Drug Production, Cost Policies of Brazil

"Evolution of Antiretroviral Drug Costs in Brazil in the Context of Free and Universal Access to AIDS Treatment," PLoS Medicine: The study, conducted by Amy Nunn of the Harvard School of Public Health and colleagues, analyzes the costs of individual antiretroviral drugs in Brazil, finding that although generic drugs produced in Brazil often are more expensive than similar drugs produced in other countries, Brazil still offers lower prices for patented antiretrovirals than other developing countries. Brazil produces eight generic antiretrovirals, and since 2001 it has negotiated antiretroviral prices with five pharmaceutical companies, according to the study. The study concludes that although Brazil saved about $1 billion from 2001 to 2005 on antiretrovirals through its strategies, drug costs continued to increase as more people required treatment and HIV-positive people lived longer (PLoS Medicine release, 11/12).