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Now AIDS treatment comes dirt-cheap

by Medindia Content Team on Feb 26 2001 12:00 AM

The war of the pharmaceutical giants has just begun.

After waging wars over many drug formulations the pharma majors are now locking horns over AIDS treatment. The ball was set in motion by the dramatic announcement of Indian firm Cipla that a three-drug combination for AIDS treatment would cost less than a U.S. dollar a day. Not to be left far behind rival firm Ranbaxy announced plans of its own production of anti retroviral drugs for AIDS treatment.

This development brings to a head a series of developments in a year that has seen people all over the world ganging up against rising prices of essential life saving medicines. However critics say even now many in the poorer countries will be unable to afford the new drug cocktail as offered by Cipla.

Another argument is that counseling and close monitoring of medication is equally important, at least in the developing world, where treatment for many AIDS patients is still only a dream.

But for the hapless HIV positive victims this news will surely bring some cheer that there is still some chance left. There still is some light at the end of the tunnel.


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