Question
Are generic ARVs just as good as other ARVs?
21 November 2016. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, Starting treatment.
I have read that all the HIV drugs used in the developing country and third world are generic and less effective than those which are used in developed world. Is it true? I am from Nepal, here also they distribute free HIV drugs which are provided by donor agencies. What kind of drugs are these?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
Generic ARVs are just as good as non-generics. They do exactly the same thing. They have the same result. Which is controlling a persons HIV.
The main difference is that generics are much less expensive because the companies charge lower prices.
This means that many more people can be treated for the same amount of funding.
Over 17 million people globally are on ART – and the vast majority use generics. Even high-income countries like the UK use generic drug once the original versions come off-patent.
The drugs in Nepal will be very good.
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