Indonesian state pharma company to market generic antiretrovirals
Indonesian state pharmaceutical company Kimia Farma is marketing locally produced generic antiretroviral drugs for local people, according to the co-ordinator of HIV/AIDS therapy access at the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Jakarta, Samsuridjal Djauzi.
Indonesian state pharmaceutical company Kimia Farma is marketing locally produced generic antiretroviral drugs for local people, according to the co-ordinator of HIV/AIDS therapy access at the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Jakarta, Samsuridjal Djauzi.
RSCM has been supplying the drugs since December last year, but they will now be available in other Jakarta hospitals. Local antiretroviral drugs are cheaper because they are government subsidised.
Kimia Farma marketing manager of ethical products Mr Sudibyo said local generic drugs would be available only at hospitals appointed by the government to treat HIV/AIDS patients. Kimia Farma plans to produce 5,000 packages this year. Each HIV/AIDS patient needs one package of drugs for a month's treatment, with imported Indian drugs costing between Rp650,000 and Rp1m while local drugs cost only Rp380,000 (US$33).
The government recently announced it will assist patients by paying Rp200,000 for each package of ARV drugs, and in 2004, the Ministry of Health has allocated Rp10bn for drug subsidy and HIV/AIDS tests.