By Trudy Simpson, Staff ReporterLESS THAN three per cent of the estimated 25,000 to 40,000 HIV positive Jamaicans have access to HIV-fighting medication.
But there is hope on the horizon, at least as far as prices go, as two foreign pharmaceutical companies and their local distributors have offered to reduce the prices of HIV-fighting drugs to developing countries like Jamaica.
The companies, Boerhinger Ingelheim of Canada and Ranbaxy of India are offering anti-retroviral brand name and generic drugs, among them the drug known as Viramune or Nevirapine, used both in combination with other drugs to treat patients with HIV/AIDS and also used to prevent Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV.
Late last month, US-based pharmaceutical giant, Merck Sharp & Dohme started the ball rolling by announcing a 75 per cent discount on the prices of two HIV-fighting drugs, Crixivan (indinavir sulfate) and Stocrin (efavirenz).
The discount became effective on Friday, October 19 and followed government efforts, announced in July by Minister of Health John Junor, to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies in various countries to obtain low-cost medication.
Sources told The Gleaner that Boerhinger Ingelheim offered drugs, reduced from US$4.00 per tablet to US 60 cents per tablet through its local distributor Facey Commodity and its Caribbean office on October 25.
Erica Gaynir-Shilletto, pharmaceutical manager at H.D. Hopwood said that the distributing agency had advised the Health Ministry about the discounted prices of anti-retroviral drugs and some generic drugs, which will be sourced from Ranbaxy.
"We have been in touch with the Ministry and have offered to source drugs being used (because) we wish to be a part of the thrust to find affordable HIV medication for the people of Jamaica. I don't want to put a percentage on it now but I know the price will be much less than before, "said Mrs. Gaynir-Shilletto.
For his part, Dr. Yitades Gebre, director of the National HIV/STI Control Programme, hailed the proposals as "welcome and encouraging news to both frustrated health care providers and thousands of Persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Jamaica (and added that) the provision of HIV treatment almost pays for itself by reducing the cost for hospitalisation and other drugs."
But Dr. Gebre is hoping that drugs will become cheaper still as many persons end up forking out over $30,000 a month for combinations of HIV/AIDS-fighting medication. So too are the heads of two organisations which offer help and support to people affected by and living with HIV/AIDS.
Ainsley Reid from the Jamaica Network of Seroposives (JN+) and Ian McKnight of Jamaica AIDS support (JAS), while they have welcomed the reductions, are concerned that many HIV positive Jamaicans will still be unable to afford the medication.
"It's like a roof for a house without a foundation. For the initiative to be successful, there are other things which are needed to be put in place such as food. Seventy-five per cent might be good but it still would not be easily available to regular people (and be) in the reach of the person who is not working or taking care of children", he said in October, adding that Government needed to jump on board and make sure that the drugs get to those who need it most and improve the quality of health care given to HIV positive Jamaicans.
Dr. Gebre agreed that the price discounts is part of the bigger challenge in providing comprehensive care to HIV positive people.
"Our public health infrastructure including laboratory services, monitoring the effectiveness and efficacy of treatment need additional services and resources," he said.
