GlaxoSmithKline(GSK) has further reduced the not-for-profit prices of its HIV/AIDS medicines for the world's poorest countries by up to 47%. The latest reduction lowers the not-for-profit price of Combivir - the backbone of WHO-recommended HIV/AIDS treatment regimens - to 90 cents per day. "These price cuts demonstrate our commitment to making vital medicines more affordable through sustainable preferential pricing", said Jean-Pierre Garnier, CEO of GlaxoSmithKline. "In June 2001, when we expanded our access programme, we promised to continue to find ways to reduce costs and pass those savings on to patients. We did that in September 2002, and today we are again delivering on our promise."

In addition to Combivir, GSK has also reduced the not-for-profit price of many of its other HIV/AIDS medicines. For example, Epivir (3TC) is now available at 35 cents per day, and Retrovir (AZT) at 75 cents per day - reductions of 45% and 38% respectively.

GSK's single, not-for-profit prices are available to a wide range of customers in the Least Developed Countries and all of sub-Saharan Africa - a total of 63 countries. Eligible customer groups include governments, Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), aid agencies, UN agencies and international purchase funds like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. In recognition of the gravity of the HIV/AIDS situation in sub-Saharan Africa, employers who offer HIV/AIDS care and treatment to uninsured staff are also eligible for GSK's not-for-profit prices for antiretrovirals.

In response to the announcement, Richard Feachem, Executive Director of The Global Fund said, "The Global Fund welcomes this announcement as another step towards dramatically expanded access of antiretrovirals to the millions of people who need them. Continued price discounts are an important contribution of GSK's leadership and partnership with the Global Fund; this must be matched by increased resources to finance the purchase of medications, as well as commitments by public and civil society partners at the local level to ensure their effective delivery."

The Rt Hon Clare Short MP, Secretary of State for International Development, said, "I very much welcome this announcement from GSK. I look forward to other companies making similar efforts to bring down the prices of much needed drugs. We must complement this by a combined effort to build basic health systems in developing countries. We need to be clear, no matter how cheap the drugs, most poor people will not receive them because there is no health system that reaches them. This is the priority for the next 10 years if we are to meet the challenge of the Millennium Development goals."