Generic drugs could mean big savings for richer countries

Rochelle Walensky of Harvard Medical School. 

© IAS/Deborah W. Campos - Commercialimage.net

The use of generic drug formulations could reduce expenditure on HIV therapy in the US by $920 million each year, a new analysis shows.

A preferred first-line treatment option is Atripla (efavirenz combined with tenofovir and FTC). This is a patented medication.

However, the patent on efavirenz expires next year, as does the patent for 3TC (lamivudine, Epivir), which is similar to FTC (emtricitabine, Emtriva) in terms of efficacy and side-effects.

Researchers calculated that the use of generic forms of efavirenz and 3TC combined with tenofovir (Viread), could save $4000 per person per year, with a cumulative annual saving of $920 million.

The results of this analysis will be looked at with interest as the cost of treating HIV is a growing concern, even in richer countries.