Local ARV drugs now on sale in hospitals across the country

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.