Opinion
HIV medicine academy opposes price increase for Norvir
LETTER — Posted April 12, 2004
Regarding "Doctors protest 400% price hike in HIV medication," (Article, March 8): Your article states that: "Abbott spokeswoman Ann Fahey-Widman said company representatives met with doctors, including members of the HIV Medicine Assn. and the American Academy of HIV Medicine; patients; and patient advocates about the matter. Afterward, the company decided to leave the drug [Norvir] pricing at the current level in most cases."
Our concern is that the above is worded so that it implies that Abbott left the price increase in place with the agreement of the academy and other parties. In fact, the academy does not agree with the price increase even with the recent steps taken by Abbott listed above.
The academy has taken a strong stand against the Norvir price increase. On Jan. 2, the academy formally responded to this matter with a strong letter to the Abbott CEO rebutting some of the company's claims, expressing academy members' extreme concern, and urging Abbott to significantly reduce the price increase. In addition, the academy has made the decision to not request funding from Abbott Laboratories for additional projects.
Howard Grossman, MD, chair, New York/New Jersey Chapter; board chair, Public Policy Committee, American Academy of HIV Medicine Los Angeles
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/04/12/edlt0412.htm.
