US AIDs doctors protest 400% rise in drug costs - Abbott Labs.

[donsu]

http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/8202843p-9133980c.html

Doctors nationwide have begun an unprecedented protest over a 400 percent increase in the price of a drug that has helped hundreds of thousands of patients with HIV and AIDS live longer.
A friendly and often lucrative relationship between HIV doctors and Abbott Laboratories has gone sour because of the price increase. What began as a war of words between several HIV organizations and the company has escalated to include a boycott.
In a Jan. 20 letter to the company, more than 150 doctors who specialize in HIV care said they will resign from Abbott advisory panels, refuse to participate in Abbott drug trials or attend Abbott-sponsored lectures. They will ban Abbott representatives from their offices and consider alternatives to Abbott drugs when possible for their patients.

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That's not the only reason doctors and AIDS activists are angry. They argue that by raising Norvir's price, Abbott is pushing doctors to prescribe another Abbott drug called Kaletra. Kaletra is a protease inhibitor that contains a small amount of Norvir. Despite the price increase for Norvir, the company has not raised the price of Kaletra, now the lowest priced protease inhibitor available.

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The HIV Medical Association, representing 2,600 physicians, and the American Academy of HIV Medicine, with 1,600 members, condemned the price increase in letters to Abbott.
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will complaining lower the costs? don't hold your breath.