Price Of A.I.D.S. Drag Drops 22 P.c. (Press, 4 February 1988)
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Summary: Price Of A.I.D.S. Drag Drops 22 P.c. (Press, 4 February 1988)
On 4 February 1988, it was reported that more A.I.D.S. patients in New Zealand may soon have access to the drug Retrovir following a 22 per cent reduction in its price. Retrovir, also known as zidovudine or AZT, is not a cure for A.I.D.S. but is believed to prolong life and improve the quality of life for some patients. Introduced to New Zealand in June 1987, 17 A.I.D.S. patients had been approved for treatment, although three of these patients have since died. The initial high cost of Retrovir, estimated at $40 to $50 per day per patient, limited its availability. However, after a price cut just before Christmas, the cost for 100 capsules is now $282. This reduction was made possible due to falling production costs, as the Wellcome Foundation, the drug’s manufacturer, became more efficient in its production processes. Mr Bob Williamson, general manager of Wellcome New Zealand, explained that production had initially been rushed to meet demand, leading to higher costs that have since been refined. Mr Ralph Risely, principal medical officer in the Health Department’s medicines and benefits unit, noted that the price drop could enable a broader range of A.I.D.S. patients to receive the treatment. The A.I.D.S. Advisory Committee was set to discuss the implications of this price reduction in their upcoming meeting later that month. The criteria for granting access to Retrovir remain focused on the patient’s medical condition, although financial considerations are also a factor due to the continuing expense associated with the drug. While Retrovir functions by inhibiting the replication of the A.I.D.S. virus, preventing its spread within a patient’s white blood cells, it is important to note that it does not eradicate the virus. Consequently, patients need to undergo ongoing treatment. The drug also has potential side effects, including the suppression of red and white blood cell production, which may require blood transfusions for about one-third of patients on the full dosage. As of January 7, 1988, there were 60 reported A.I.D.S. cases in New Zealand, with 24 fatalities. The reduced cost of Retrovir could significantly impact the treatment options available for these patients, as the Health Department looks to make treatment more accessible amid the ongoing challenge of the A.I.D.S. epidemic.
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