Guyana president announces lower cost AIDS drugs

Monday, November 17, 2003

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: President Bharrat Jagdeo has informed his colleagues in CARICOM of Guyana's ability to produce antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for persons living with HIV/AIDS at a lower cost than was previously available. 

The President made this disclosure at CARICOM summit, which ended on Friday in Castries, St. Lucia. 

On November 12 last the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Company (NGPC) announced that it was lowering the prices of antiretroviral to Guyana and the Caribbean.

NGPC, which started production in 2001, is the only producer in Guyana of the antiretroviral treatment for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Guyana is also the only country in the Caribbean to manufacture ARVs.

A release from NGPC noted that in light of its ongoing commitment to the global battle, it continues to significantly reduce the cost of these drugs, with the cost of mono-therapy currently being as low as US$54 annually per patient and triple therapy available at prices below US$195 per annum. 

To address the serious threat of HIV/ADIS in the Region, Pan Caribbean Partners against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) was established at the 12th Inter-Sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in February 2001. 

PANCAP recently held its Annual General Meeting and a five-day workshop on HIV/AIDS, Law Ethnics and Human Rights in Georgetown. 

Part of the discussion was the review of progress made and challenges that may occur as the region battles the HIV/AIDS epidemic. One of the major challenges highlighted was the high cost of antiretroviral treatment.

Guyana, through its National AIDS Programme Secretariat, officially launched the HIV/AIDS expanded treatment and care programme in October last.

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