Merck cuts price of Efavirenz in Thailand

If you believe this bullshit I'd like to talk to you about some choice land I have for sale in Louisiana's swamps.

Merck & Co. announced on Thursday price cuts for its HIV-AIDS drug, Efavirenz, in poor countries and those hard hit by the disease, including Thailand which plans to make copycat versions of the medicine.

Thailand, which shocked Merck in November when it announced plans to break the company's patent for Efavirenz, would see its price drop to 700 baht ($19.59) per patient per month.

Merck had previously sold Efavirenz at a non-profit price of 1,300 baht per treatment per month in Thailand, which plans to import Indian-made versions of the drug for 800 baht per month until it is available from Thailand's state-owned drug maker.

"Merck is lowering the price of the 600 mg formulation of Efavirenz due to efficiencies resulting from improved manufacturing processes," the company said.

A spokesman for Merck's Thai subsidiary also attributed the lower Thai price to a more favourable exchange rate.

I love it when corporations try to espouse how benevolent they are and how they're really concerned about people. Truth is, Merck would be unable to make any money in Thailand on Efavirenz if Thailand broke the patent. So they're just salvaging what they can. They're attempting to preserve some market share. This isn't rocket science. Companies work all the angles. Some income is better than none.

Let me go on record here. I don't think big pharma has an obligation to save people at their expense. I do feel they should take a financial hit in some situations. HIV-AIDS can't be cured. Merck's drugs just prolong life. For now that's the best we have. Jack up the prices a little on other drugs and give the HIV-AIDS drugs for free. Humanitarianism ain't a bad thing.

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