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AIDS drug not sold in Africa, says Cipla
Our Bureau
Mumbai, Aug. 9 Not one pack of AIDS drug Viraday has been sold by Cipla in Africa till date, the company has said, refuting charges of over-pricing made by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF).
The AHF had in newspaper advertisements on Thursday alleged that Cipla was charging more for its AIDS drugs in India, as compared to the price they sell it in Africa. This keeps the medicine inaccessible to many in India, said AHF, a US-based non-profit organisation.
The advertisements in leading newspapers cited the specific instance of Viraday. The AHF claimed that Cipla sold the drug at Rs 54,000 per patient per year in India, as compared to Rs 21,200 per patient per year in Africa.
‘Ad defamatory’
Cipla’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Amar Lulla, told Business Line that Cipla had not sold a single pack of Viraday in Africa. “We are consulting our legal experts,” he said.
Cipla sells other AIDS drugs (not Viraday) to the National Aids Control Organisation in India at the same prices as in Africa, he said.
The full-page advertisements cost lakhs of rupees, he said, and added, “Why don’t they use this money to help AIDS patients?”
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