Glaxo’s
patent on AZT expires

GlaxoSmithKline's patent on Retrovir (AZT), the first approved anti-HIV drug, expired on Saturday, and health experts expect several low-cost generic versions of the drug to quickly become available both in the United States and abroad, The [Raleigh, N.C.] News & Observer reports. Retrovir currently costs about $2,200 for a one-year supply, down significantly from its initial price tag of about $10,000 when the drug debuted in 1987. But pharmaceutical experts say generic versions of the drug could cost as little as $105 for a one-year supply. Drug companies in India, China, and some African countries already produce generic versions of AZT for use in developing nations, but experts say U.S.-made generics could be even cheaper than those medications. The patents on Glaxo's multidrug combination pills that include AZT--Combivir and Trizivir--will not be affected by the expiration of AZT's patent. (Advocate.com)