Reduced costs for second-line Aids drugs

Two major organisations for access to Aids medication have announced new agreements with drug manufacturers to reduce the cost of second-line antiretroviral drugs.

Price reductions of 19 per cent have been revealed by Unitaid and the Clinton Foundation HIV/Aids initiative, together with six new and affordable child-friendly formulations.

Second-line treatments are needed by patients who develop a resistance to first-line drugs and currently cost up to ten times than a first-line treatment.

Unitaid claim that over 200,000 patients living with Aids are now benefiting from its support.

Bill Clinton, who launched the Clinton foundation, said: "Today's announcement is an important step in helping to save the millions of children and adults infected with HIV in the developing world who still lack access to life-saving drugs."

Mr Clinton paid testament to the will of governments and other partners that have broadened access to drugs and second-line Aids treatment projects.

The Clinton Foundation HIV/Aids initiative was launched in 2002 and assists countries in large-scale care, treatment and prevention programmes.

It has partnerships with 22 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Asia.