UK to help Indian companies produce cheaper AIDS drugs

The United Kingdom is working with the Clinton Foundation to help Indian pharmaceutical companies produce cheaper drugs for malaria and AIDS. The UK Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander MP announced this, saying the proposed nine million pounds programme to be implemented between 2009 and 2012 would provide technical support to Indian companies in producing and registering new treatments for AIDS and malaria, and negotiate affordable prices for these drugs.

The move will help over 11 million people with AIDS gain access to life saving treatment by 2012.
"Three million people died of HIV/AIDS in 2007, and every year, there are over one million deaths from malaria," Alexander said. Governments and private sector companies need to work together to expand access to more effective and low cost medicines to reduce this unacceptable burden, he said. "Indian pharmaceutical companies have made a massive contribution in improving the health of the poor, by providing affordable drugs in India and to other developing countries.

We want to see their contribution grow, by reducing the barriers they are facing in entering markets for newer and more effective medicines for AIDS and malaria. "It is a genuine win-win situation. With DFID (Department for International Development) support to the Clinton Foundation, health services for malaria and AIDS in India and Africa will be able to buy drugs at cheaper prices and put more people on better quality treatment, and pharmaceuticals companies will enjoy a bigger market."

"The efforts of the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative have enabled more than 70 countries around the world to have access to affordable prices for HIV/AIDS drugs and diagnostics - representing approximately 92 per cent of people living with HIV globally," former US president and founder of Clinton Foundation Bill Clinton said. "We've also negotiated a 90 per cent reduction for pediatric medicines around the world," he said and thanked the UK for its efforts and support