Russia under threat of shortage of anti-HIV drugs

Representatives of the Russian patient community have warned about the shortage of the antiretroviral drug Eviplera (rilpivirine/tenofovir/emtricitabine), the most popular and most expensive combination drug for the treatment of HIV on the domestic market, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent.

While some of local doctors and analysts explain the interruptions in supplies by anti-Russian sanctions, other sure that the problem is related with too high price of the drug of more than 300,000 roubles ($4,950) for the annual treatment course.

So far, Patient Control (a public organization which unites people living with HIV in Russia) has reported on the shortage of the ARV drug Eviplera, marketed by the America’s Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) and Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD), with the most complex situation being observed in the Russian province.