Abbott, WHO Agree on Plan for Kaletra

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Abbott Laboratories have agreed on an approach to making the HIV drug Kaletra available in the developing world, the company announced.

In the wake of recent events involving Thailand, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan approached Abbott to discuss how to improve affordability and access to the drug while maintaining incentives to support developing new medicines, the company said.

Under the agreement, Abbott will offer Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) to governments of more than 40 low-income countries and nongovernmental organizations for a price of $1,000 per patient per year. This price is lower than any generic price currently available and is approximately 55 percent lower than the current average prices, Abbott said.

In Thailand, Abbott agrees with Chan that more work needs to be done with the Thai government. Meanwhile, Kaletra remains available in Thailand and will be eligible for the new price.

Previously Abbott had decided to stop introducing new drugs in Thailand after the government issued a compulsory license for the production of generic Kaletra.

Kaletra is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infected adults and children above the age of 2 in combination with other antiretroviral agents.