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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 8 June 2004\line \line {\b Roche 
further reduces prices of HIV protease inhibitor medicines for low and lower middle income countries} \line Roche\u8217?s 
discounted pricing applicable to 85% of people in the world living with HIV/AIDS\line \line Today 
Roche announced further significant reductions in the prices of its HIV protease inhibitors, Invirase 
(saquinavir) and Viracept (nelfinavir), for people living in low and lower middle income countries{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 {\super 1} \par}, 
as classified by the World Bank. \line \line HIV continues to spread, with more 
than 15,000 new infections every day \u8211? 95% of which are in Least Developed, low and lower middle income 
countries.{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 {\super 2} \par} Roche is introducing the new 
reduced prices, which represent a reduction of up to a third on the previous reduced prices, in recognition 
of a potential increased need for second-line therapies. Global initiatives to increase access to first-line 
therapies have resulted in a growing number of people on initial HIV treatment. The number of people 
in Africa, on treatment supplied by the companies in the Accelerating Access Initiative, doubled from 
75,000 to 150,000 between June and December 2003.{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 {\super 3} \par} 
As the number of people on first-line therapy increases, the need for future second-line treatment options 
may become increasingly important. \line \line William M. Burns, Head of Roche Pharmaceuticals, 
commented: \u8220?Until a cure for HIV/AIDS is discovered, research, prevention and treatment remain the key 
global priorities. While our primary role in the global efforts to tackle HIV/AIDS is the discovery 
and development of new medicines, Roche is constantly reviewing its activities and is running a range 
of programmes on the ground for those living in the poorest countries. Our action today demonstrates 
our long term commitment to these people living with HIV/AIDS.\u8221? \line \line To provide 
a treatment option for those failing on first-line therapies, Roche has further reduced the prices of 
Invirase (saquinavir) and Viracept. Saquinavir is recommended as a second-line option within the Treatment 
Guidelines for Antiretroviral Therapy in resource-limited settings developed by the World Health Organization.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 4\par}}  
The price changes are effective immediately and terms and conditions of supply remain unchanged (please 
see www.roche-hiv.com (http://www.roche-hiv.com) for details).\line \line {\b Summary 
of Roche\u8217?s further reduced prices of HIV protease inhibitors in low and lower middle income countries 
available {\i for direct purchase from Roche Basel}  (prices applicable as of June 8 
2004)\line 
		Eligibility criteriaInvirasePrice per pack (270 x 200mg capsules) / CHF*ViraceptPrice per pack (270 x 250mg tablets) / CHF*ViraceptPaediatric powder 144g / CHF*
	
		Low income countries and lower middle income countries200 (new price)300 - former price200 (new price)300 - former price45 (new price)55 former price
	\line } {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 * 
FCA Basel (Incoterms 
2000)\par}{\b \line } \line These changes 
form part of Roche\u8217?s ongoing 
commitment to increase access to HIV healthcare and treatment. In April 2004, Roche further reduced 
the no profit prices of Invirase and Viracept for people living in the Least Developed Countries1 of 
the world and sub-Saharan Africa. The no profit prices - available to Least Developed Countries and 
sub-Saharan Africa \u8211? together with these further reduced prices for low and lower middle income countries, 
apply to an estimated 36 million people, representing as many as 85% of all people living with HIV/AIDS 
worldwide{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 {\super 5} \par}.\line \line {\b Roche\u8217?s 
commitment to increasing access to 
HIV healthcare globally} \line Roche is committed to increasing access to HIV healthcare 
globally through the development of healthcare solutions that are sustainable and have a long-term impact, 
particularly on the lives of those in the Least Developed Countries and sub-Saharan Africa. Roche is 
a founding member of the Accelerating Access Initiative, which aims to provide sustainable access to 
HIV care and treatment in resource limited countries. \u160?Roche is also a member of the Global Business 
Coalition on HIV/AIDS, the pre-eminent business organization leading the business fight against HIV/AIDS.\line \line {\b Roche 
Patent Policy } \line \u8226? No patents for any of Roche medicines \u8211? across all disease areas 
\u8211? will be filed in the Least Developed Countries of the world, as defined by the UN. \line \u8226? 
Roche will not file patents on new or investigational HIV/AIDS medications in sub-Saharan Africa or 
in Least Developed Countries and will not act against infringement of patents Roche holds on HIV/AIDS 
drugs in these countries.\line \line {\b About Roche } \line Headquartered 
in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world\u8217?s leading innovation-driven healthcare groups. Its 
core businesses are pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is number one in the global diagnostics market 
and is the leading supplier of pharmaceuticals for cancer and a leader in virology and transplantation. 
As a supplier of products and services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, the Group 
contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people\u8217?s health and quality of life. Roche employs 
roughly 65,000 people in 150 countries. The Group has alliances and research and development agreements 
with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai. \line \line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 All 
trademarks used or mentioned in this release are legally protected.\line \line {\b Notes 
to Editors} :\line A comprehensive list of prices, countries and conditions are available 
on the website www.roche-hiv.com. The minimum order remains of 10,000 CHF. The prices are ex-factory 
prices from Roche\u8217?s headquarters in Basel Switzerland. Under circumstances where Roche is requested 
to provide delivery, distribution costs as well as import taxes and duties must be added. Local retail 
prices are therefore higher than these ex-Roche Basel prices. These prices are provided subject to the 
conditions that the drug will not be diverted or re-exported to other countries not qualifying for the 
specified price as defined on www.roche-hiv.com.\par}\line \line {\b Additional 
information:} \line - www.roche-hiv.com (http://www.roche-hiv.com)\line - www.roche.com/home/sustain/sus_med.htm\line \line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 {\b Reference} :\line 1 
UN 
list of Least Developed Countries can be found at www.unaids.org \line World Bank list of 
low income and lower middle income countries can be found at www.worldbank.org\line 2 Global 
Forum for Health Research, HIV AIDS, www.globalforumhealth.org\line 3 AAI, March 2004.\line  
4 WHO, 2003. Scaling up antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings: Treatment guidelines 
for a public health approach\line 5 UNAIDS. http://www.unaids.org/html/pub/Global-Reports/Barcelona/TableEstimatesEnd2001_en_xls.xls\par}\par}
{\pard \par}
{\pard\sb180\f1\fs22 {\b F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd}\line 4070 Basel\line Switzerland \par}
{\pard\sb180\f1\fs22 Corporate Communications\line Roche Group Media Relations \par}
{\pard\sb180\f1\fs22 Tel. +41 61 688 88 88\line Fax +41 61 688 27 75\line www.roche.com \par}
}