Mylan Launching HIV Combination Therapies at Significantly Discounted Price

As the costs of HIV treatment continue to increase, drugmaker Mylan has announced it will launch two new combination HIV treatments at a significantly discounted price. The new combination treatments, Symfi Lo (efavirenz/lamivudine with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate; Mylan) and Cimduo (lamivudine with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate; Mylan) were approved by the FDA in February.

On average, it is estimated that the total cost for HIV medications in the US exceeds $20 billion annually, and for health care payers like Medicaid, HIV is considered to be a top cost driver. Total spending on HIV drugs has tripled since 2007, which outpaces the approximate 60% growth in overall drug spending, Mylan reported from IQVIA.

The first combination treatment Symfi Lo 400 mg/300 mg/300 mg tablets, is administered once-daily and is a single-tablet regimen. It is indicated as a complete regimen for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in adult and pediatric patients weighing at least 35 kg. The second treatment option, Cimduo 300 mg/300 mg tablets, is a once-daily combination of two nucleo(t)side reverse transcriptase inhibitors and is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. It is indicated for use in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 35 kg.

Mylan will discount the price of Symfi Lo significantly from the wholesale acquisition cost compared to any other single-tablet regimen that currently exists in the US market. Further, Cimduo's list price will be at a significant discount to any other tenofovir-based double combination product currently on the market.

“As the world's largest supplier of antiretrovirals by volume, Mylan is deeply committed to expanding access to treatment for people living with HIV,” Heather Bresch, CEO of Mylan, said in a press release. “For a decade, we have helped transform the level of access to high-quality, affordable HIV medications in developing countries. We are excited to bring that same passion to the U.S. with the upcoming launches of Symfi Lo and Cimduo and help deliver significant savings to the healthcare system.”

Mylan hopes to begin sales on Symfi Lo in the upcoming weeks and plans to introduce Cimduo in the second quarter of the year.

—Julie Gould

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