Roche cuts AIDS drugs costs

Drug manufacturing giant, Roche Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday announced further reductions in prices of its HIV protease inhibitors, Invirase and Viracept, for people living with HIV/AIDS in low and middle income countries. Roche said the price changes were effective immediately and terms and conditions of supply remain unchanged. William Burns, the head of Roche Pharmaceuticals, said in a statement that the company's action demonstrated its long term commitment to people living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries. "Until a cure for HIV/AIDS is discovered, research, prevention and treatment remain the key global priorities ... Roche is constantly reviewing its activities and is running a range of programmes on the ground for those living in the poorest countries," Burns said.