Industry news: Launch of two new antiretroviral drugs

Mount Nelson Lounge

Aspen Pharmacare recently took to the road to launch two important new anti-retroviral drugs, Viread and Truvada, and chose Stephanie Moss Solutions to create four stylish launches, countrywide.

The production of the launches was undeniably challenging, with the four evening events taking place over consecutive days in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth; at Gallagher Estate, Riverside Hotel, The Mount Nelson Hotel and the Kelway Hotel, respectively.

Stephanie Moss, MD of Stephanie Moss Solutions comments: "It's a mentally and physically demanding exercise to pull off a programme of back-to-back launches like these. I suppose it's fortunate though that the events industry attracts the type of innovative mavericks who thrive on pressure like this! The team that pulled it all together was lead by senior event coordinator Gillian Dyer, and hats off to them all for a job well done."

To honour Aspen Pharmacare's South African roots, the production team opted for an African theme, but kept it subtle so as not to detract the focus from the immensely important products being launched. The antiretroviral drugs, Viread and Truvada are included on the World Health Organisation's revised Essential Medicines List and their manufacture and distribution by Aspen (to all 53 African countries) will have important ramifications for patients with HIV/Aids.

The products were presented to the audiences of medical and pharmaceutical professionals, at all four events, by Dr Robb Sheneberger of the USA. Dr Sheneberger is with the Institute of Human Virology and is its Senior Medical Technical Advisor for Southern Africa, based in Zambia. He is also an Assistant Professor in Family Medicine at the University of Maryland, and an internationally acclaimed authority on treatment models for HIV care.

Moss adds: "Given the significance of the launch and the presentation by an authority of Dr Sheneberger's reputation and calibre, it came as no surprise to us to find all four launches completely oversubscribed. The turnout was nothing short of spectacular and bodes extremely well for these critically important antiretrovirals. We were proud to play a role in these milestone occasions."