Mylan Inc., one of the leading generic and specialty pharmac companies in the world, affirmed its commitment to expand the access of people living with HIV/AIDS in the developing world to high quality, affordable treatment. The company is the proud sponsor of a special World AIDS Day exhibition and reception today in Washington DC. The event is hosted by the World AIDS Institute in cooperation with the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus.

Mylan President Heather Bresch said: “As a company dedicated to meeting unmet needs, we honour on this 23rd World AIDS Day those who have died from HIV/AIDS and those living with the disease, including the nearly 10 million people worldwide who are in immediate need of treatment and care. Everyone living with HIV/AIDS deserves to have access to affordable treatment, and we intend to do our part to help them obtain it.”

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), about 33 million people currently are infected with HIV. Approximately 85% of these individuals live in sub-Saharan Africa. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) treatment guidelines, 15 million of those infected need treatment, but only 6.6 million, or less than half of them, receive it.

New research suggests that improved access to antiretroviral (ARV) treatment may be the most effective means to prevent HIV transmission.

Mylan’s efforts reflect this research. In addition to providing affordable high-quality ARV products, the company is advocating that treatment begin soon after diagnosis to ensure better health outcomes for individuals, reduce HIV transmission and create long-term cost savings. Mylan also is encouraging the expansion of HIV testing programs, as they are a prerequisite for treatment. In addition, the company supports efforts to reform how programs are funded and services are delivered so as to use existing resources more efficiently and improve accountability for results.

Mylan also remains highly committed to partnering with members of the global community, including governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to implement new and innovative practices and achieve the goal of universal access established by the United Nations.

Bresch continued: “Not only will expanding access to ARVs save the lives of millions living with HIV/AIDS, it will dramatically reduce transmission of the HIV virus. By taking bold action now, members of the global community can unite to help ensure the eventual eradication of this devastating disease.”

Mylan has helped fuel a steep decline in ARV drug costs over the last decade. As recently as 2000, the cost to supply one person living with HIV/AIDS with a year’s supply of ARV medicine averaged about $10,000. In 2008, low-income countries paid, on average, $400 per patient per year for a WHO-recommended once-daily regimen. And prices have continued to drop even further, as that same regimen now is available for $159 per patient per year, a reduction of 60 percent since 2008 alone.

Mylan has also delivered important innovations for the patients who rely on its products, including a heat-stable ARV product that can be distributed and used in warm climates where refrigeration infrastructure is not widely available, and advances in packaging that make it easier for people to adhere to their treatment plans. Additionally, Mylan’s is currently the only FDA-approved generic triple combination, once-a-day ARV with Tenofovir, which is recommended by WHO as a first-line treatment. Mylan’s ARV products are helping approximately one-third of all people receiving treatment today for HIV/AIDS in the developing world.