Abbott to provide Norvir for free for those taking Aptivus

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, Thanks for giving me the opportunity to answer your questions about the expanded Norvir Patient Assistance Program. This information has been shared throughout the country but is important enough to have spread in any way possible so that any patient in need of Norvir has access. All Abbott Advocacy Managers, Clinical Scientists and HIV Specialists have conveyed this information to their customers and are available to assist anyone that has questions. I wanted to re-send the portion of our last press release that speaks to the expanded Norvir PAP program. This paragraph gives a good synopsis of the program. The information below is contained in our press release that I forwarded to community members concerning out ADAP Commitment Extension on June 21, 2005 Also, I have answered your questions in the attached email below in bold. ABBOTT BROADENS LONG-STANDING COMMITMENT TO STATE AIDS DRUG ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS PAGE 3 For Norvir, patients without prescription drug coverage or public assistance can receive this medication at no cost, regardless of income. Abbott has further expanded the program to offer patients requiring 400 milligrams or more of Norvir a day, free Norvir, regardless of income or insurance status. The recommended dosage of Norvir is 600 milligrams twice daily by mouth. When Norvir is used with another protease inhibitor, it should be dosed in accordance with the prescribing information for that product. Patient Assistance Program applications are available at www.PPArx.org. As always, Abbott has taken cutting edge steps to insure that patients have access to Norvir. This program is unlike any PAP program in the HIV industry. Through community input, we have tried to capture all areas of need for patient living with HIV. In the past year and a half, we have not received word of any patient without access to Norvir and we are committed to helping any patient that we know about to receive all of our medications. No patients been turned down by our Norvir Patient Assistance Program since we have expanded our program. Jim HowleySr. Mgr., Advocacy Relations*******************************************************************************************

Dear Jim There seems to be a lot of confusion around how the Norvir PAP and price freeze would work for boosting of over 200 mg a day. I have a few simple questions that I would like to get clarification on 1- For those with no third party reimbursement, is 400 mg/day covered under PAP? YES. All patients who require 400 mg a day or more can receive Norvir free regardless of insurance coverage or 3rd party payor. 2- Is the Norvir price frozen for ADAP's, Medicaid for 400 mg/day boosting? For ADAP yes. For Medicaid I need to follow up with a phone call. All Medicaid has price increase laws that apply. 3- If someone has a problem with their insurance paying for 400 mg a day boosting, can the PAP help them? Anyone in need of 400 mg a day or more of Norvir can receive it free through out PAP. If you call us and say you need it we will give it to you. 4- If someone does not have funds to pay for 20 % of the drug cost (in policies of 80-20 coverage), does the PAP help? If the person requires 400 mg a day of Norvir or more they can receive it free regardless of insurance. Anyone in need of assistance should apply for Kaletra or Norvir PAP. Each case is reviewed on an individual basis. No one has been denied Norvir through our PAP in the past year and a half. 5- In what situations will the PAP not work for those who need access to Norvir boosting? Each case requiring less than 400 mg a day or more is reviewed individually. No one requiring Norvir who has applied to our PAP has been turned down in the past year and a half. 6- Are there any income level limitations or US legal residency for the PAP? Abbott has one of the most liberal PAP programs in the HIV industry. There are no income restrictions for our Norvir PAP. Legal residency is asked on the application as per industry standards. (please call me for further info.)

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