PITTSBURGH, Dec. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mylan Inc. (Nasdaq: MYL) today joins communities around the world to commemorate the 24th World AIDS Day by honoring those who have battled HIV/AIDS, celebrating the progress achieved to date in the global response to the disease, and reaffirming Mylan's passionate commitment to the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS.

Mylan CEO Heather Bresch said, "Mylan is dedicated to expanding access to high quality antiretroviral medications (ARVs) for those in need. On this 24th World AIDS Day, we stand ready to continue contributing to the fight against HIV/AIDS in 2013 and beyond, and believe that an AIDS-free generation is within our grasp."

Mylan continues to support the pledge the U.S. government made on World AIDS Day 2011 to provide treatment to 6 million people through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) by the end of 2013. PEPFAR was established in 2003 to help save those suffering from HIV/AIDS around the world. To date, the program has helped 4.5 million people in resource-limited areas receive treatment.

Mylan also continues to support the United Nations' "15 by 15" goal. If met, by 2015 the 15 million people who, according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2010 ARV Treatment Guidelines, need antiretroviral therapy would be receiving it.

In order to increase and expand access to ARV medications used to treat HIV/AIDS, Mylan believes it is imperative to focus on enhancing mobility and supply-chain management. As a company with a proven track record for exemplary supply-chain management, Mylan is confident its insights can help shape the global community's efforts to improve access to this vital medicine.

Bresch continued, "We are doing all we can to expand access to life-saving ARVs by scaling up to meet unmet needs and breaking down barriers that stand in the way of getting medicine to people who need it. For the last decade, Mylan has focused on driving down the costs of ARV medicines. Today, the primary barrier standing between patients and treatment is not the cost of drugs, but inadequate access to them.  Our aim is to do for access what we already have done for affordability."

In addition to helping enhance affordability of ARV drugs, the company also has helped increase access to these medications by introducing a number of ARV innovations, for instance producing single blister "combo" packs, which provide a reduced pill burden and once-a-day dosage. Mylan also developed three FDA/WHO-approved heat-stable ARV products, which can be distributed and used in warm climates where refrigeration infrastructure is not widely available. In addition, Mylan has been a global leader in producing ARV formulations for pediatric use. 

According to WHO, HIV is one of the world's leading infectious killers, claiming more than 25 million lives over the last 30 years. In 2011, there were approximately 34.2 million people living with HIV. Today, approximately one-third of all people in the developing world receiving treatment for HIV/AIDS are taking a Mylan product.

Mylan is a global pharmaceutical company committed to setting new standards in health care. Working together around the world to provide 7 billion people access to high quality medicine, we innovate to satisfy unmet needs; make reliability and service excellence a habit, do what's right, not what's easy and impact the future through passionate global leadership. We offer a growing portfolio of more than 1,100 generic pharmaceuticals and several brand medications. In addition, we offer a wide range of antiretroviral therapies, upon which approximately one-third of HIV/AIDS patients in developing countries depend. We also operate one of the largest active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturers and currently market products in approximately 150 countries and territories. Our workforce of more than 18,000 people is dedicated to improving the customer experience and increasing pharmaceutical access to consumers around the world. But don't take our word for it. See for yourself. See inside. mylan.com

SOURCE Mylan Inc.