Mylan Inc's South African subsidiary, Mylan (Proprietary) Limited, has launched a comprehensive portfolio of antiretroviral (ARV) products. South Africa has the world's largest HIV/AIDS population, with approximately 5.6 million people living with the disease and an estimated 1.7 million people receiving treatment.
Mylan's South African ARV portfolio initially will consist of 11 first- and second-line adult and paediatric regimens. Included are several innovative products, such as fixed-dose combinations, single blister "co-packs," heat-stable products and novel paediatric formulations that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Mylan CEO Heather Bresch commented, "Mylan's mission is to provide the world's 7 billion people with access to high quality medicine. Recently, Mylan was awarded a 19% share of the ARV tender conducted by the South African government and we already have begun to deliver on this commitment. Building on this, today we are pleased to launch a broad and innovative ARV portfolio for the private sector. We believe that Mylan can set a new standard in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in South Africa by providing health care providers and those living with the disease access to high quality, affordable medicines."
Paul Miller, managing director and vice president of Mylan's South African business noted, "Mylan is an established leader in ARVs, with a global portfolio of 43 high quality ARVs, and the company has played a significant role in reducing the cost of these important therapies. The launch of Mylan's ARV portfolio in South Africa builds on our existing commercial presence in the country and is consistent with the company's commitment to addressing unmet needs with quality products. Mylan's ARV medicines are produced according to current Good Manufacturing Practices at facilities that have been inspected by leading regulatory authorities, including the South African Medicines Control Council, FDA and WHO. These quality standards are paramount everywhere that Mylan operates, including in South Africa."
Mylan has been a leading global player in the ARV arena for more than a decade. In 2002, Mylan Laboratories Limited (formerly Matrix Laboratories Limited) began providing reliable supplies of ARV active pharmaceutical ingredients to generic drug makers. In 2007, the company began offering finished dosage forms and launched a line of pediatric ARVs. Today, Mylan is widely respected for the quality, dependability and affordability of its ARVs. Mylan supplies ARVs to more than 120 countries around the world and nearly 40% of HIV/AIDS patients receiving treatment in developing countries depend on one of the company's ARV products.