SPOTLIGHT: Adcock Ingram gets free license for Merck HIV remedy

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 06:59:52 -0400

South African generics maker Adcock Ingram nabbed a royalty-free license from Merck on its anti-HIV drug Stocrin (efavirenz). The South African government has been buying the brand-name drug from Merck for distribution at state-run clinics. Adcock will sell its version at a "significant discount," once it gets approval from that country's drug regulators. Merck gave a voluntary license for efavirenz to Aspen Pharmacare, Adcock's biggest competitor, two years ago; that company still awaits regulatory approval for its version of the drug. Release