Local ARV drugs now on sale in hospitals across the country

Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung

State pharmaceutical company Kimia Farma has started to sell locally produced generic antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for people living with HIV/AIDS in the country.

The coordinator of HIV/AIDS therapy access at the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Jakarta, Samsuridjal Djauzi, said here on Saturday the drugs had brought new hope for people to extend their life expectancy.

RSCM has been selling the drugs since December last year, but soon the drugs -- Neviral and Duviral -- will be available in several other Jakarta hospitals, such as Fatmawati, Dharmais, Sulianti Saroso, and Duren Sawit. Public hospitals located at some provincial capitals, including the Hasan Sadikin hospital here, will also provide antiretroviral drugs.

"Local ARV drugs are cheaper because the government subsidizes them," said Sjamsuridjal.

Each HIV/AIDS patient needs one package of ARV drugs for a month's treatment. Local subsidized ARV drugs are on sale for Rp 380,000 (US$33.14) while the imported one, from India, costs between Rp 650,000 and Rp 1 million.

The government recently announced its commitment to help patients by paying Rp 200,000 for each package of ARV drugs. For 2004, the Ministry of Health has allocated Rp 10 billion for the ARV drug subsidy and HIV/AIDS tests.

Kimia Farma marketing manager of ethical products Sudibyo said the local generic drugs would be available only at hospitals appointed by the government to treat HIV/AIDS patients.

"They will not be sold freely in drug stores," he said.

For the initial stage, Kimia Farma produced 500 packages and plans to increase the number to 5,000 this year.

Sjamsuridjal said since 1996, some 1,300 AIDS patients had registered at several hospitals in Jakarta, but only 38 were routinely being treated.

ARV drugs do not cure HIV/AIDS, but help halt its development and thus help patients maintain their immune systems and extend their lifespan.

Ministry of Health data reveals that from 1987 to October 2003, at least 3,924 people have been infected with the virus, of which 1,239 have AIDS.

However, a report by UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, estimates the number of cases to be more than 130,000.

The number of deaths in Indonesia has reached 500.

A draft regulation in support of employees with HIV/AIDS is currently being scrutinized by the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration.

The regulation, which was submitted to the ministry by the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) and the Indonesian Labor Union Confederation, will require companies to pay the medical bills of their employees, who are living with HIV/AIDS.

It will also prevent employees from being fired because they have AIDS.