Actively introducing the latest new drugs into the PRC in step with the world
The commitments of MSD on the AIDS area can be traced back to over fifteen years ago. Since AIDS became known to the world, MSD has been looking for the therapeutic drugs and preventive vaccines for AIDS way back in 1986. At present, MSD has developed and launched two drugs for AIDS, namely Stocrin® and Crixivan®.
· Crixivan® was introduced into the PRC in 1999. Crixivan® is a protease inhibitor globally launched in 1996, and is the most commonly used protease inhibitor in the world.
· The Stocrin® 200mg capsules were introduced into the PRC in 2000. Stocrin® is a non-nucleatic glucoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor globally launched in 1998. Stocrin® has been established clinically as a potent, persistent and tolerant drug, and is a strong and compatible partner in anti-retroviral combination therapy.
· On 15th December, 2002, MSD announced that it has filed an application for the registration of Stocrin® 600mg tablets in the PRC. Currently, approval has been obtained in 17 countries2 for Stocrin® tablets. This new formulation of Stocrin® makes it possible for patients to take only one tablet a day instead of 3 capsules as before. Not only does it simplify the treatment regimen, but it also reduces the treatment costs.

To improve the patient access of anti-HIV drugs, MSD has taken the lead to reduce prices
Since the discovery of the first AIDS case in the PRC in 1985, a tendency of rapid growth of the disease has emerged. In order to support the PRC government to achieve its target of containing the number of HIV carriers at below 1.5 million by 2010, and to allow more HIV-infected persons the access to appropriate anti-retroviral treatment, MSD took the initiative to reduce the prices substantially.
· On 1st December, 2001, MSD was the first company to substantially reduce the ex-factory prices of Crixivan® and Stocrin® capsules. This represented a two third drop in the ex-factory price.
Ex-factory price of Crixivan® US$1,029 per year per patient
Ex-factory price of Stocrin® capsules US$920 per year per patient
According to the pricing regulation laid down by the State Planing Commission, the retail prices of the above two drugs per person per year should be :
Crixivan® RMB17,155
Stocrin® capsule RMB12,045
· On 5th December, 2002, MSD announced that is has filed an application for the registration of Stocrin® 600mg tablets in the PRC. The ex-factory price of the new Stocrin® tablets in the PRC is US$767/year per person. This means that the annual costs for using the Stocrin® treatment is further reduced by 17%.
A reliable long-term partner of the PRC government
MSD has been working closely with the Ministry of Health on the HIV/AIDS issue since 1999.
· It works hand in hand with the experts of AIDS Prevention and Control Center of the Ministry of Health in the completion of the forward looking studies on the hazards of AIDS to the social economy of the PRC, which can be used as an important basis for the strategic decision of the government on AIDS prevention and treatment.
· In February, 2001, it supported the seminar with “Concern of the entire society on AIDS” as the subject held by the People’s Political Consultative Committee.
· In September, 2001, it supported the “First seminar on HIV drug treatment” held in Beijing by the AIDS Center of the Ministry of Health, and it conducted in-depth discussions on key issues such as standardised treatment, care and policies on AIDS in the PRC.
· In November, 2001, it supported the “First meeting on the prevention of AIDS and venereal diseases in the PRC” held in Beijing. MSD sponsored overseas expert to share international experiences on HIV/AIDS drug treatment.
· On 30th November, 2001, a meeting on the pricing of anti-virus drugs was held with the Ministry of Health, the AIDS Center and several major pharmaceutical enterprises participating.
· In March, 2002, it supported the “Seminar on the new progress of HIV/AIDS treatment strategy in Asia Pacific regions” in Shanghai. The subject of this meeting was the sharing of and discussion on the world’s latest and successful treatment strategy on HIV/AIDS. Well-known experts on AIDS in China also participated in the meeting for an in-depth, comprehensive sharing of the experience and information on the therapies with the counterparts of the Asia Pacific regions.

Clinical treatment projects of Crixivan® and Stocrin® in the PRC
In a joint effort by MSD China and the AIDS Prevention and Control Center of the Ministry of Health, two clinical treatment projects, namely “Crixivan® + zidovudine + lamivudine” and “Crixivan® + Stocrin®” have been carried out in the PRC. These projects are aimed at providing the medical sector with experiences in treating the Chinese community, hence giving a kick-start to anti-retroviral therapies in the PRC. The above two clinical treatment projects further proved the reliability of the efficacy of Crixivan® and Stocrin®, and provided clinical experience as well as local data to medical professional in the PRC in conducting anti-retroviral therapies.
MSD has organised training projects for medical professional
Since 1999, MSD has been providing a series of professional services to medical professionals in the PRC
· It invited internationally renowned AIDS experts to professional academic forums in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, in which they exchanged experience with clinical experts on AIDS in the PRC.
· It supported the touring AIDS clinical treatment classes organised by the AIDS Prevention and Control Center of the Ministry of Health and some provincial health bureau, and conducted professional training on the clinical, care and diagnosis of AIDS for medical workers in Gansu, Xinjiang, Sichuan, Shanxi and Henan.
· It worked together with provincial, municipal governments and medical organisations to provide training for local medical practitioners and anti-epidemic station professionals on the diagnosis and treatments of the disease.

MSD has supported the public disease awareness campaign by news media, and urged the community at large to care about AIDS
· It supported the annual public disease education seminars of the PRC Prevention Medical Association and Reporters Association, which are aimed at mobilizing the news media to report on AIDS in an economical, scientific and continuous manner and on its effective control, so that knowledge on AIDS prevention and treatment can be disseminated, and it urged the community at large to pay close attention to the prevention of AIDS.
· It has made active efforts in concert with the publicity exercise on the World’s AIDS Day (1st December) conducted by the relevant medical professional organisations and news media.

® Registered trademark of MSD
*****************************
06-2003-CRX-2002-CHI-028-O
V:AIDS\Medical Submission\CRX02030_Fact Sheet on Activities on HIV.doc.
Updated on : 03/04/03 4:16 PM
a