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Roche launches Global Access Program for HIV viral load testing

Posted: 26 September 2014 | | No comments yet

Roche announced the launch of a new Global Access Program for HIV viral load testing…

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Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today the launch of a new Global Access Program for HIV viral load testing, created in partnership with UNAIDS, the joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB & Malaria, at a high-level side event held during the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA. 

To support the Global Access Program, Roche has committed to expanding access to its COBAS® AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HIV-1 Test version 2.0 through a special pricing scheme for qualifying organizations in eligible countries. The Program is a key action step in response to the Diagnostics Access Initiative, which was launched during the 20th International AIDS conference in July 2014. The Diagnostics Access Initiative calls for improving laboratory capacity to ensure that all people living with HIV can be linked to effective, high-quality HIV treatment services. 

Optimizing the use of diagnostics will be critical to achieving the targets of the UNAIDS 90:90:90 goal by 2020. This goal means that 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have durable viral suppression.
“The Global Access Program is a major step forward in improving the quality of care for HIV patients and preventing further transmission of the disease,” stated David Ripin, Executive Vice President of CHAI Access Programs. “This is an admirable and rapid response to the challenge issued by UNAIDS at the 2014 AIDS Conference to increase access to high quality treatment to patients living with HIV and AIDS. CHAI is proud to be part of this partnership, and looks forward to working with Roche, governments and partners to ensure that the terms of the program translate to increased patient access.”

“As the leader in HIV viral load testing, Roche supports the UNAIDS 90:90:90 goal and the Diagnostics Access Initiative by expanding access to quality HIV testing through affordable pricing to those countries hardest hit by the disease,” stated Roland Diggelmann, Chief Operating Officer of Roche Diagnostics. “With 70% of all people living with HIV residing in Sub-Saharan Africa, we believe our commitment can truly make a difference to UNAIDS’ goal for achieving control of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.”

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