GlaxoSmithKline freezes prices of Aids drugs in US

GlaxoSmithKline is freezing the prices of its six Aids drugs in the US until January 2004.

The online edition of the New York Times reports that the freeze includes its most widely-prescribed Aids medicine, Combivir.

An individual might pay about $18 (€19) a day for Combivir, representing an annual cost of $6,600 (€6,800).

The report states that companies typically increase the prices of Aids drugs by roughly 5% per year.

GlaxoSmithKline will also continue to provide some drugs free to people with low incomes who are eligible for its patient assistance programme.