EPN - Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network

A summary report from the WHO global price reporting mechanism on antiretroviral medicines has been published (February 2008), which includes the transaction prices paid by low- and middle-income countries for antiretroviral medicines for adult treatment, from 2004 to 2007.

Download report http://www.who.int/entity/hiv/amds/GPRMFeb2008.pdf [.pdf 258Kb]

Visit the WHO/AMDS Global Price Reporting Mechanism (GPRM) web page (and report transaction prices online) at http://www.who.int/hiv/amds/gprm/en/index.html

By knowing what prices others are paying for particular medicines, DSOs will be in a better position to negotiate for the best market price. With DSOs increasingly having to follow a tight business model, access to this kind of information is becoming crucial. In 26 countries, UNDP is using this report to check local market prices. The information also provides opportunities for testing the transparency and accountability of government-based medical activities.

In addition to the prices included in the document, the report concludes that, “the downward trend in the price of first line ARV medicines is seen to continue since 2004. The difference in the median price for the most commonly used fixed-dose combination in 2007 is now only minimal. In addition, the cost for the second-line treatment also showed a significant reduction in 2007, especially in middle-income countries, mainly due to the price change of ABC and LPV/r for the regimen. However, the price of second-line regimens remains higher than that of first-line regimens. This is especially true with regard to protease inhibitors in low-income countries, where prices showed only a 10% reduction over the last 4 years.”

Faith-based DSOs were asked to contribute to this study – however, no responses were contributed. It is hoped they will join the process in the future.