AIDS Advocates Urge Abbott to Expand Access to Re-Formulated Medication

On April 17, 2006, AFC convened a meeting of local HIV/AIDS physicians, AIDS activists, people living with HIV/AIDS, and officials from Abbott Laboratories to discuss global access to a new formulation of Kaletra. Unlike the previous formulation, the new version of the drug does not require refrigeration or special dietary restrictions. Patients taking the new formulation also report fewer side efforts.

The development of a heat-stable version of Kaletra is considered especially critical for patients in tropical areas around the world where acute poverty and poor infrastructure have complicated access to the old form of the drug. A movement led by Doctors Without Borders and the Student Global AIDS Campaign is urging Abbott to speed access to the new medication worldwide and charge deeply discounted prices in poor and near-poor countries. Advocates are also urging Abbott to allow generic manufacturing of the drug as a strategy to save more lives.

Learn more about the April 17 meeting held at AFC.

To view photos from Chicago-area demonstrations organized by student AIDS advocacy groups on April 28, 2006, click here.