PITTSBURGH, Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mylan Inc. (Nasdaq: MYL) today applauded the Obama administration's call to action in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.
Mylan President Heather Bresch commented: "While the generics industry has made significant contributions toward making HIV/AIDS medicines more affordable, we believe the focus must now turn to expanding access to treatment for more people. As such, we're heartened that the Obama administration is embracing treatment as prevention and rallying global leaders to help end the global HIV/AIDS pandemic by making the creation of an 'AIDS-free generation' a policy priority. Achieving these objectives, as well as the goal of universal access set forth by the United Nations, will require close cooperation between governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector."
Yesterday's speech by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) comes at a critical time. Despite significant success in lowering infection rates, HIV/AIDS remains a leading cause of death globally and there are 7,000(1) new infections every day. Less than half of the estimated 15 million(2) people needing treatment receive it.
Recent scientific studies, including those conducted by NIH and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), underscore the importance of early treatment. Evidence from these studies suggests that earlier initiation of treatment following testing and diagnosis may be the most effective means to prevent HIV transmission.
"With the 2012 International AIDS Society Conference taking place here in the U.S. in July 2012, the Obama administration has an ideal platform to take further steps to deliver on its commitments to addressing the global AIDS pandemic and make an 'AIDS-free generation' a reality. Mylan intends to do all it can to help by partnering with the administration, the U.N. and others to continue to expand access to high quality, affordable antiretrovirals used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS," concluded Bresch.
Approximately one-third of people in the developing world being treated for HIV/AIDS depend on a Mylan antiretroviral (ARV) product.
Mylan Inc. ranks among the leading generic and specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world and provides products to customers in more than 150 countries and territories. The company maintains one of the industry's broadest and highest quality product portfolios supported by a robust product pipeline; operates one of the world's largest active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturers; and runs a specialty business focused on respiratory, allergy and psychiatric therapies. For more information about Mylan, please visit www.mylan.com. For more information about generic drugs, please visit www.ChoosingGenerics.com.
(1) United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS
(2) World Health Organization
SOURCE Mylan Inc.
