Open Letter to Abbott Laboratories | Doctors Without Borders

April 27, 2006
Open Letter to Abbott Laboratories

From Researchers, Clinicians and AIDS Activist Groups Around the World

April 5, 2006
Miles White
Chairman and CEO
Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, IL 60064

Dear Mr. White,

We are writing to you to express our concern about the lack of availability in developing countries of the new melt extrusion (Meltrex) formulation of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r), marketed as Kaletra (200/50mg tablets).

LPV/r has been recognized as an essential medicine by the WHO¹ and will be included in its revised antiretroviral treatment guidelines², in which boosted protease inhibitors represent the cornerstone of second-line therapy. As you know, the tablet formulation of LPV/r, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in October 2005, has critically important advantages for patients in developing countries: no dietary restrictions, lower pill burden, and most importantly, storage without refrigeration. Due to the storage requirements of the old formulation, there is the risk that some patients in tropical climates are currently using degraded LPV/r capsules. In short, there is an urgent need in developing countries for access to the new heat-stable formulation of LPV/r, as no other boosted protease inhibitors are practical to use in the hot climates of many of these countries.

We urge Abbott to take the following actions to make this crucial second-line option accessible in developing countries:

1. Immediately file for registration of the new LPV/r formulation in all countries where the old formulation was registered or pending, as well as in other developing countries.

According to the WHO/AMDS registration database³ published in October 2005, the old formulation of LPV/r (133/33.3 mg soft gel capsules) is registered in 55 countries and registration is pending in 13 others, covering 68 of the 69 countries eligible in Abbott's Access Program.⁴ But the new formulation of the drug has not been registered in any country except for the US. We urge you to immediately file for registration of the new formulation of LPV/r (200/50mg tablets) in developing countries, so that the old formulation can be replaced by the new one, as was done in the US.

2. Communicate the countries and the filing dates where registration of the new formulation of LPV/r is pending and a timeline for submissions to remaining countries.

We ask that Abbott communicate the countries and the filing dates where registration of the new formulation of LPV/r is pending so that health advocates in these countries can work with national drug regulatory authorities to overcome any delays and provide a timeline for submitting remaining registration requests.

3. Publish a price for the new formulation of LPV/r for least-developed and middle-income countries.

Since May 2002, Abbott has been selling the old formulation of LPV/r in Africa and Least Developed Countries for $500 per patient per year on an FOB basis (freight, insurance, customs handling, taxes and duties paid by purchaser). Abbott has not yet made public any price for the new formulation of LPV/r in developing countries. We ask that Abbott establish a price that is at least as low as the price for the old formulation in least-developed countries. Abbott's Access Program for the old formulation of LPV/r excludes middle-income countries, resulting in prices up to 12 times more than in least-developed African countries.⁵ We urge you to make the new formulation available at an affordable price in middle-income countries where millions live on less than US $2 per day.

4. Develop a heat-stable formulation of RTV and make it accessible in developing countries.

A separate, heat-stable formulation of ritonavir (RTV), marketed as Norvir, is also needed in developing countries so that care-providers can implement the forthcoming WHO guidelines and pair RTV with other available and affordable, heat-stable protease-inhibitors.

5. Develop a pediatric formulation of the new formulation of LPV/r.

WHO draft pediatric guidelines recommend LPV/r for use in children if there is cold-chain access.⁶ While this new formulation overcomes the storage challenges presented by the old formulation, care-providers would not be able to cut or crush tablets because the new LPV/r is a coated tablet. Therefore, careproviders need a pediatric version of this formulation so that they can provide adequate second-line regimens for children as well as adults.

6. Work with countries to make the new formulation of LPV/r easily available while registration applications are being considered.

Because the drug registration process can take months if not years to complete, we ask that Abbott establish a reliable interim system to distribute this new formulation to treatment programs in developing countries while registration is pending.

Sincerely,

INTERNATIONAL

Stephen Lewis, United Nations Secretary General's Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa
Craig McClure, Executive Director, The International AIDS Society
Bianca Kamps, Director, International Dispensary Association (IDA) - HIV/AIDS Group
Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
European AIDS Treatment Group

UNITED STATES

American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM)
AIDS Treatment Activist Coalition (ATAC)
The Drug Development Committee of AIDS Treatment Activist Coalition (ATAC)
Elaine J. Abrams, MD, Professor of Pediatrics & Epidemiology, Director, MTCT-Plus, International Center of AIDS Care and Treatment Programs
Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
Lisa Hirschhorn MD MPH, Associate Director, Office of International Programs, Harvard Medical School Division of AIDS
Joia S. Mukherjee, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Partners In Health
David Hoos, MD, MPH , Director Multicountry Antiretroviral Program (MCAP) Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Wafaa El-Sadr, MD, MPH, Columbia University
Mark Mirochnick, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine
Ruby Faysey, MD, MPH, Pediatric Clinical Advisor, ICAP, Columbia University School of Public Health
Ruth Kuhn, SC, Coordinator Region VI Coalition for Responsible Investment
Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, Corporate Responsibility Committee
Lauren Compere, Chair, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, HIV/AIDS Caucus Chief Administrative Officer/Director of Shareholder Advocacy, Boston Common Asset Management
Sister Dolores Bourquin HM, Sisters of the Humility of Mary
Cathy Rowan, Corporate Responsibility Coordinator, Maryknoll Sisters
Joellen Sbrissa, CSJ, Office of Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation, Sisters of St. Joseph of La Grange, IL
David Scondras, President, Search for a Cure
Kevin Outterson, Associate Professor of Law, West Virginia University
Foundation for Integrative AIDS Research (FIAR)
Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC)
Global AIDS Alliance (GAA)
The Center for AIDS Information & Advocacy
Treatment Action Group (TAG)
Student Global AIDS Campaign
Health Global Access Project (GAP)
Health & Development Networks
National Jesuit Committee on Investment Responsibility (NJCIR)
Universities Allied for Essential Medicines — US and Canada
Dominican Sisters of Hope
Mercy Investment Program
Sisters of Mercy Regional Community of Detroit
Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk-U.S. Province

ARGENTINA

Nexo Salud
Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Unida en Argentina y Uruguay, Pasotral Ecumenica, VIH-SIDA, Coordinador Regional Plan de Accion en VIH-SIDA de la Federacion Luterana Mundial

AUSTRALIA

Professor John Ziegler, MB BS, MD, FRACP, FAAAAI Head, HIV Service, Sydney Children's Hospital, NSW
Professor Richard Doherty, Head of Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, and Head of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Southern Health, VIC
Assistant Professor Patricia Price, Snt Lecturer HIV Immunology, University of Western Australia, WA
Professor Martyn A French, MB ChB, MD, FRCPath, FRCP, FRACP, Royal Perth Hospital and University of Western Australia, WA
Brian Haill, President, The Australian AIDS Fund Incorporated, VIC
Dr. David Bradford AM, Sexual Health, Cairns, QLD
Dr. Brian Hughes, MBBS, DipSHM, FRACP, FAChSHM, Chair of Education, Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine
Dr. Paul N. Goldwater, BSc, MBBS, FRACP, FRCPA, MASM, Microbiology & Infectious Diseases Department, Women and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA
Dr. Margaret Gibbons, MBBS, MTH, General Practitioner, Tobwabba Aboriginal Medical Service, NSW
Dr. Mark W. Douglas, BSc, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, Infectious Disease Physician
Dr. Deborah Couldwell, MBBS, MM, FAChSHM, Staff Specialist Sexual Health Medicine, Parramatta Sexual Health Clinic, NSW
Dr. Jeffrey Post, Infectious Diseases Physician, The Prince of Wales Hospital NSW
Dr. Marisa Gilles, KPHU Broome, WA
Mark Bebbington, Policy and International Manager, Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, Inc. Newtown, NSW
L. Dorgogna, Clinical Immunology and Biochemical Genetics, Royal Perth Hospital, WA
Karen Blyth CNC, Victorian HIV Consultancy, The Alfred, Melbourne, VIC
Pam Price, HIV Women's Health Statewide, Adelaide, SA
Amanda Chambers, STD Services, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA
Scott Parker, Harm Minimisation Coordinator, We Help Ourselves (WHOS), Redfern, NSW
Mark Kelly, Senior Medical Officer, AIDS Medical Unit, Brisbane, QLD
Mark Beltchev, Nurse Manager, HIV Unit, The Alfred, Melbourne, VIC

AUSTRIA

Gottfried Mernyi, Managing Director, Protestant Association for World Mission
Sonja Hauser, Assoc. AIDS Life, Production
Anton Mair, Head of Dept. for Evaluation, Development Policy and Strategies, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Birgit Habermann, Coordinating Committee for Development Issues (KEF) at the Academy of Sciences
Dr. Florian Breitenecker, General Practioner, Detention Centre Josefstadt
Stephan Neuhäuser, International Research Cooperation, Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Culture
Dr. Norbert Kohrgruber (MD), Medical University of Vienna,
Dr. Angela Öllinger, Dermatologist/Spezialist HIV/Aids, General Hospital Linz (AKH)
Dr. Harald Schopper, Head of the Detention Centre Josefstadt
Univ. Prof. Dr. Christoph Wenisch, President of the Austrian Society of Infectious Diseases, Kaiser Franz Josef Hospital
Dr. N. Vetter, Head of the Lung Dept. Otto-Wagner Hospital
Dr. Andrea Steuer, Otto-Wagner Hospital
Dr. Brigitte Schmied, Otto-Wagner Hospital
Dr. Wolfgang Steflitsch, Otto-Wagner Hospital
Dr. Heinrich Haber, Otto-Wagner Hospital
Dr. Manfred Gartner, Otto-Wagner Hospital
Dr. Gunvor Koitz, Otto-Wagner Hospital
Dr. Herbert Keller, Otto-Wagner Hospital
Dr. Wolfgang Scholz, Otto-Wagner Hospital
Dr. Alexander Aichelburg, Otto-Wagner Hospital
Dr. Maria Geit, General Hospital Linz
Dr. Armin Reiger, Head of HIV/AIDS Department, General Hospital Vienna (AKH)
Julia Göd, Chairwoman, Association ONGHALO — Future for Africa
Jakob Krisper, Vice Chairman, Association ONGHALO — Future for Africa
Markus Fux, Board Member, Association ONGHALO — Future for Africa
Bernhard Hlawati, Board Member, Association ONGHALO — Future for Africa

BELGIUM

Dirk Pyck, Directeur, Sensoa (Dutch speaking platform of AIDS NGOs)
Professor Robert Colebunders, Medical Tropical Institute, Antwerpen
Mr. Thierry Martin, Director, Prevention SIDA

BRAZIL

GESTOS - Soropositividade, Comunicação e Gênero
ABIA - Associação Brasileira Interdisciplinar de AIDS
CONECTAS Direitos Humanos
Grupo Pela Vidda São Paulo
DAWN Brasil
GAPA/São Paulo
GAPA/ RS
LACCASO - Consejo Latinoamericano y del Caribe de ONGs con Servicio en VIH/SIDA
GIV — Grupo de Inventivo à Vida

CAMBODIA

Dr. Juian Elliot, MD, Technical Advisor for HIV Treatment and Care, Phnom Penh
Dr. Sarah Huffam, Technical Advisor for HIV Treatment and Care, Phnom Penh

CANADA

Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
Canadian AIDS Society
Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD)
Canadian Harm Reduction Network
Oxfam Canada
Dignitas International
Canadian Crossroads International
RESULTS Canada
SIDA/AIDS Moncton Inc.
Dr. Noah Novogrodsky
Dr. Joel Lexchin, Associate Professor, School of Health Policy and Management, York University
Dr. Jill Claire Cohen
Bonnie Gray, Canadian Support of Rural African Initiatives (CSRAI)

CHINA

Yiming Shao, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Expert on AIDS, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention (NCAIDS), China CDC, Director, Division of Research on Virology and Immunology, NCAIDS, Chairman, Committee on Virology, Chinese Society for Microbiology
Odilon Couzin, Executive Director, China AIDS Info
FuJie Zhang, MD, Director, Division of Treatment and Care, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director, National HIV/AIDS Clinical Task Force
Thomas, Executive Director, AIDS Care China

DENMARK

Nina Friss-Moleer, MD, PhD, Clinical Research Associate, Copenhagen HIV Programme, Hvidovre University Hospital
Sören Thybo, MD, MSc, Consultant, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet

ECUADOR

Darío Abarca, Ecuadorian Coalition of PLWHA

EL SLAVADOR

Asociación Atlacat

FRANCE

Pr. Eric Delaporte, UMR 145 L'Institut de recherche pour le developpement (IRD)/ Université de Montpellier
Pr. Laurent Mandelbrot, Hôpital Louis Mourier
Pr. Jean-Michel Molina, Chef de Service, Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Saint Louis
Dr. Suna Balkan, Service de Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Saint Louis
Dr. Jean-Baptiste Guiard Schmidt, Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hôpital Tenon
Pr. Patrick Yeni, Chef de Service, Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Bichat
Dr. François Bourdillon, Président de la Société de Santé Publique
Pr. François Dabis, Unité INSERM 593, Institut de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie et Développement (ISPED)
Dr. Xavier Anglare, ISPED
Dr. Catherine Seyler, ISPED
Dr. Christine Danel, ISPED
Dr. Besigin Tonwe-Gold, ISPED
Dr. Valériane Leroy, ISPED
Dr. Elise Klement, Service de Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière
Dr. Julie Veraspuech, Bordeaux
Eric Fleutelot, Head of International Programs, Sidaction,
TRT-5
Act Up-Paris
Act Up-Toulouse

GERMANY

Albert Petersen, Chair of the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network Nairobi
Dr. med Günther Schmutz, Arzt für Innere Medizin, Haematologie und Internistische Onkologie, HIVSchwerpunktpraxis
Dr. med. Stefan Esser, Leiter der HIV-Ambulanz am Universitatsklinikum Essen, Klinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie
Bernd Pastors, Managing Director and Member of the Board, German Medical Organization, Action Medeor
Prof. Dr. Schlomor Staszewski, HIVCENTER, Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe- Universität Frankfurt am Main Medizinische Klinik III
Dr. med. Tessa Lennemann, HIVCENTER Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe- Universität Frankfurt am Main Medizinische Klinik III
Dr. med. Heiko Jessen, HIV-Schwerpunktpraxis
Dr. med. Heribert Knechten, 1. Vorstandsvorsitzender, Deutsche Arbeitsgemeinschaft niedergelassener Ärzte in der Versorgung HIV-Infizierter e.V. (DAGNÄ e.V.)
Dr. med. Peter Hartmann, Arzt, Praxis mit HIV Schwerunkt Netzwerk der Therapieaktivisten, c/o Projekt Information e.V.
Dr. Luis Carlos Escobar Pinzón, Bundesgeschäftsführer, Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe e.V
Dr. med. Albrecht Ulmer, Gemeinschaftspraxis
Dr. med. Andreas Carganico, Facharzt für Allgemeinmedizin, Gemeinschaftspraxis
Dr. med. Ansgar Rieke, Arzt für Innere Medizin / Nephrologie / Infektiologie (DGI), Immunologische Ambulanz, II. Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Kemperhof, Koblenz
Dr. med. Bernd Buchholz, HIV-Ambulanz der Universitätsklinik Mannheim
Dr. med. Christoph Mayr, Arzt, Praxis MVZ Ã„rzteforum Seestrasse
Dr. med. Gundula Notheis, Oberärztin und Leiterin der Immundefekt-Ambulanz
Dr. von Haunerschen Kinderspital
Dr. med. Hans Jäger, Gemeinschaftspraxis München
Dr. med. Holger Flick, DTMPH, Arzt, Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Infektiologie und Pneumologie Charité Universitätsmedizin
Dr. med. Jan-Peter Siedentopf, Infektionsambulanz, Klinik für Geburtsmedizin, Campus Virchow- Klinikum, Charité — Universitätsklinikum
Dr. med. Jörg Gölz, Praxiszentrum Kaiserdamm Berlin
Dr. med. Katharina von Weizsäcker, Infektionsambulanz, Klinik für Geburtsmedizin, Campus Virchow- Klinikum, Charité — Universitätsklinikum
Dr. Rainward Bastian, Director, German Institute for Medical Mission (DIfÃ„M)
Olaf Hirschmann, MPH, Advisor HIV/AIDS in Development Policy, Brot für die Welt, Diakonisches Werk der EKD
P.D. Dr. med. Keikawus Arastéh, Direktor der Klinik für Innere Medizin Infektiologie / Gastroenterologie, Vivantes Auguste-Viktoria-Klinikum
Prof. Dr. med. Gerd Fätkenheuer, Klinik I für Innere Medizin, Klinische Infektiologie Universitätsklinikum
Prof. Dr. med. Hartwig Klinker, Leiter des Schwerpunktes Infektiologie, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II Klinikum der Universität
Prof. Dr. med. Jürgen Lohmeyer, Infektiologie-Ambulanz Universitätsklinikum, GieÃŸen
Prof. Dr. med. Norbert Suttorp, Director, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin Department of, Infectious Diseases
Marwin Meier, Co-ordinator HIV and AIDS, World Vision Germany

GREECE

Chrisoula Botsi, MD, 'Andreas Sigros' Hospital
Hadjichristodoulou Christos,MD,PhD, Ass.Professor of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases, Medical School of Larissa, University of Larissa
Antonios Vasiloyiannakopoulos,MD,PhD, Head of 1st Infectious Diseases Department, 'Erricos Dunant' Hospital, Vice President of the Hellenic Association of Tropical,Geographical and Travelling Medicine
Sophia Kourkoudi, MD, Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Department, "Andreas Sigros" Hospital, Athens
Kirsten Loio, MD, Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Department, "Andreas Sigros" Hospital, Athens
Andreas Grilias, MD
Hellenic Association for Protection of People with Hemophilia
Gatsiou Hariklea,MD, Internal Medicine, 'Erricos Dunant' Hospital
Koutsouri Natassa,MD, Internal Medicine, 'Erricos Dunant' Hospital
Kirpoglou Panagiotis,MD, Internal Medicine, 'Erricos Dunant' Hospital
Amanatidou Konstantina,MD, Internal Medicine, 'Erricos Dunant' Hospital
Rapti Rena ,MD, Internal Medicine, 'Erricos Dunant' Hospital
Dimou Evangelini,MD, Internal Medicine, 'Erricos Dunant' Hospital
Kanelopoulos Petros,MD,PhD, Internal Medicine, 'Erricos Dunant' Hospital
Vassilopoulou Adamantia,MD, Internal Medicine, 'Erricos Dunant' Hospital
Palamarou Christina,MD, Internal Medicine, 'Erricos Dunant' Hospital
Sevastianos Vassilios,MD, Internal Medicine, 'Erricos Dunant' Hospital
Peros Ioannis, MD,PhD, Dermatologist, 'Erricos Dunant' Hospital
Hellenic Association of Tropical,Geographical and Travelling Medicine
ACT UP Hellas
Greek Committee of Feeding Minds,Fighting Hunger
Igisipolis, Club for Dialogue and Activism
Hellenic Branch of Feminist net
Antigoni: European Watch Against Racism and Xenophobia
Helen Choremi-Papadopoulou, MD, Ass. Professor of Athens University, Director of the Immunology- Compatibility Department, General Hospital "Laiko"

HONG KONG

Dr. Kath Reynolds, BMedSci, MBBS, FRACGP, MPH, Trop Med, Central Hong Kong

ICELAND

Albert Adalsteinsson, HIV+ Group Iceland

ITALY

Italian League for Fighting AIDS (LILA)
Action Aid International
Amref Italia
Lila Cedius onlus
Acra Cooperiamo lo Sviluppo
Ricerca e Cooperazione
Osservatorio Italiano sull'Azione Globale contro l'AIDS
Professor Fredy Suter, Primario U.O. Malattie Infettive, OO.RR. Bergamo
Anna Siniscalchi, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Ferrara
Daniele Dionisio, Coordinatore "Access to drugs: International Policies" CLIA, Italia e Direttore della Divisione di Malattie Infettive dell'Ospedale di Pistoia
Emanuele Nicastri, Dipartimento di Epidemiologia, Istituto Nazionale Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani
Mauro Moroni, UniversitÃ di Milano, Luigi Sacco — Milano
Anna Danise, Infectious Diseases, Milano
Maurizio Bonati, Istituto Mario Negri Gianni Tognoni, Istituto Mario Negri
Silvio Garattini, Presidente, Istituto Mario Negri
Alberto Castagnola, Economista, Presidente Formin
Giovanna Melandri, Parlamentare, Commissione Affari Esteri, Camera dei Deputati
Walter Veltroni, Sindaco di Roma
Luciano Vecchi, Parlamentare
Vittorio Agnoletto, Europarlamentare, Gruppo GUE, Sinistra Unitaria Europea
Francesco Martone, Parlamentare, Commissione Affari Esteri e Migrazione Senato della Repubblica
Luigi Malabarba, Parlamentare, Senato della Repubblica
Anna Donati, Parlamentare, Senato della Repubblica
Tommaso Sodano, Parlamentare, Senato della Repubblica
Alberto Michelini, Parlamentare, Esperto per il Piano di Azione G8 per l'Africa
Luisa Morgantini, Europarlamentare, Presidente Commissione Sviluppo
Umberto Guidoni, Europarlamentare, Gruppo GUE, Sinistra Unitaria Europea
Dott. Caterina Uberti-Foppa, MD, Infectious Diseases Clinic, HSR Milano
Dr. Massimo Cernuschi, Medico Infettivologo, Centro San Luigi di Milano, Presidente, Associazione SolidarietÃ AIDS, Milano
Adriano Lazzarin, Director, Clinic of Infectious Diseases of San Raffaele Scientific Institute
Alessandro Soria, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Vita-Salute Univeristy, San Raffaele Scientific Institute
Elena Seminari, MD, San Raffaele Scientific Institute
Giovanna Travi, MD, Department of Infectious Disease, San Raffaele Institute
Dr.sa Ratti Deborah, MD, Department of Infectious Disease, San Raffaele Hospital

IRAN

Persia+

ISRAEL

Gideaon Hirsh, MD, Executive Director, Israel AIDS Task Force

JAPAN

Naomi Wakasugi MD., PhD., Professor, Graduate School of Political Science, WASEDA University
Takashi Sawada, MD, Vice Chair Person, Services for the Health in Asian African Regions (SHARE)

LATVIA

Aleksandrs Molokovskis, Board Chair, Association HIV. LV
AGIHAS (PLWHA Support Group)

THE NETHERLANDS

Marcel van Soest, Executive Director, World AIDS Campaign
Sjoera Dikkers,Director, Stop AIDS Now!
Mauro Guarinieri, Global Network of People living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+)
Peter Heintze, Director, The Evert Vermeer Stichting

NICARAGUA

Asociación Nicaraguense de Personas Vivendo con VIH y SIDA

NORWAY

Dr. Andy Oxman, Senior Research, Norwegian Knowledge Center for the Health Services
Dr. John-Arne Røttingen MD PhD MSc, Director General, Norwegian Knowledge Center for the Health Services
Berit Mørland, DDS, PhD, Deputy Director, Norwegian Knowledge Center for the Health Services President, HTA-International
Johan Bruun MD PhD, Professor, Senior Consultant Infectious Diseases, Ulleval University Hospital
Oystein Anders Strand MD PhD, Senior Consultant, Infectious Diseases, Akershus University Hospital

PERU

Asociación Lazos de Vida

SOUTH AFRICA

Sipho Mthathi, General Secretary, Treatment Action Campaign
Prof. Andy Gray, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)
Dr Douglas Wilson, Department of Medicine, Edendale Hospital, University of KwaZuluNatal
Dr Andrew Boulle, Infectious Diseases Epidemiology unit, University of Cape Town
Dr Elma de Vries, Rural Doctors Association of South Africa (RuDASA)
Artists for a New South Africa

SPAIN

Jose Gatell MD, Infectious Diseases and HIV Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Vice President European HIV Society
Elena Valenciano, Member of the EU Parliament
Francisca Pleguezuelos, Member of the EU Parliament
Miguel Angel Martínez, Member of the EU Parliament
Carles Campuzano I Canades, Member of EU Parliament
Jose Javier Sanchez Espinosa, Red Cross
Robert Acquet, Service Comptabilité, Bayer Crop Science SA Lyon
Tenemos SIDA
GobalSIDA
A+MAS
Anesvad
Acción contra el SIDA
IAVI
Fundación Ecología y desarrollo
Fundación Triángulo
Más+Madrid
RED 2002
Save the Children
World Aids Campaign
Farmamundi

SWEDEN

Per Björkman, M.D. Ph.D, Dept. Of Infectious Diseases, Malmoe University Hospital
Eric Sandström MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital
Sven Britton, Professor, Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet

SWITZERLAND

Bernard Hirschel, Division des Maladies Infectieuses, Unité VIH/SIDA
Hôpital Universitaire de Genève
Alexandra Calmy, MD, Research Fellow, Geneva University Hospital
Julien Reinhard, Déclaration de Berne
Sepp Gähwiler, CEO, Bethlehem Mission Immensee
Gerhard Bärtschi , CEO, TearFund Switzerland
Andreas Loebell, Terre des Hommes
Pharmaciens Sans Frontières
Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance

THAILAND

Praphan Phanuphak MD, Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University; and Director of HIV Netherlands Australia Thailand, Thai Red Cross
AIDS Research Centre
Kiat Ruxrungtham, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Head, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University; and Deputy Director of HIV Netherlands Australia Thailand, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre
Jintanat Ananworanich MD, Chief, South East Asia Research with Hawaii (SEARCH) Consultant, The HIV Netherlands, Australia, Thailand Research Collaboration (HIV-NAT)
Chris Duncombe MD, Senior Staff Physician, The HIV Netherlands, Australia, Thailand Research Collaboration (HIV-NAT)
Somsit Tansupsawadikul MD, Senior Physician, Bamrasnaradura Hospital
Kulkanya Chokephaibulkit MD, Senior Pediatrician, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Nirun Vanprapar MD, Pediatrician, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medecine, Siriraj Hospital
Keswadee Lapphra MD, Pediatrician, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medecine, Siriraj Hospital
Ploenchan Chetchotisakd MD, Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University
Pope Kosalaraksa, MD, Associate Professor of Paediatrics, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University
Pranee Moungnoi MD, Consultant Psychiatrist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Child Health
Manop Srisuphanthavorn MD, Chief Medical Officer, Bangkwang Central Prison
Witaya Petdachai MD, Hospital Deputy Director and Head of Paediatrics, Phrachomklao Hospital
Chureeratna Bowonwatanauwong, MD, Senior Physician, Chonburi Regional Hospital
Noppadon Sereerat MD, Director, Kuchinarai Royal Crown Prince Hospital, Kuchinarai, Kalasin
Jon Ungphakorn, Senator and member of Public Health Committee, The Senate, Parliament House
Sureerat Thimakkra, Representative, National Economic and Social Advisory Council
Vithaya Kulsomboon PhD, MPHM, Chair of Social Pharmacy Department , Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University
Niyada Kiatying-Angsulee, Ph.D, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University
Jiraporn Limpananont, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University
Sumlee Jaidee, Asst. Professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University
Kamon Uppakaew, Chairman, Thai Network for People With HIV/AIDS
Nimit Tienudom, Director, AIDS Access Foundation
Paisan Suwannawong, Director, Thai AIDS Treatment Action Group (TTAG)
Karyn Kaplan, Director, Policy and Development, Thai AIDS Treatment Action Group (TTAG)

UNITED KINGDOM

Christian Aid
International Planned Parenthood Federation
DHIVERSE
The UWESO (Uganda Women's Effort to Save Orphans) UK Trust
National AIDS Trust
International HIV/AIDS Alliance
UK Coalition of People Living with HIV and AIDS
Dr. Ed Wilkins, Specialist in HIV/AIDS and WHO Consultant, North Manchester Hospital
Fiona Pettitt, International Community of Women living with HIV/AIDS (ICW)

VENEZUELA

ACCSI - Acción Ciudadana Contra el SIDA

FOOTNOTES

¹ 14th edition, WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (revised March 2005)
² Complete guidelines for adults and adolescents are forthcoming. A preliminary summary is available for consultation at http://www.who.int/3by5/mediacentre/news51/en/
³ http://ftp.who.int/htm/AMDS/drugsdatabase.pdf (LPV/r is not listed as registered or pending in Eritrea which is eligible for Abbott's Access Program)
⁴ http://www.accesstohivcare.org/en/partners/countries.aspx
⁵ Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières Briefing Note, "Abbott's New and Improved Kaletra: Only in the US," February 2006
⁶ http://www.who.int/hiv/pub/guidelines/PaedARTguideDRAFT_webreviewNOV05%20_2_.pdf