Is Abbott the only laboratory to produce Kaletra?
BARBOSA – No. Abbott is the patent’s owner, but there are generic versions for Kaletra in the market for US$ 0,78. CORREIO – The why doesn’t the government buy the much cheaper generic version? BARBOSA – We cannot purchase because we have a valid contract with Abbott. But, next year our next bid we will be able to buy generic versions from India, China, who else produces it. CORREIO – There are rumors that Abbott will appeal in case of the government issues the compulsory license by arguing that Brazil has funds to purchase Kaletra. BARBOSA – We are prepared to appeal from this argument, which absolutely false. We are the bigger Kaletra purchaser in the world. The laboratory is charging us twice as much of the value the generic version is charged in the market. Besides that, we are not negotiating savings. Our major concern is to keep the Aids Treatment Program going on. Waste of drugs Jose Varella/CB/4.2.04 Mrio Scheffer, from the Aids Movement, criticizes the wast of drugs More than
