Indinavir (Crixivan(R)) Becoming Available at Many Pharmacies

On May 14 Merck & Co. announced that its protease inhibitor indinavir will soon be available at 27,000 pharmacies. Until now the drug has been sold primarily through one source, Stadtlanders Pharmacy; this system was used so that patients could be counted, to make sure that supplies of the drug would not run out -- which would have forced interruption of therapy and increased the risk of viral resistance.

According to Merck, all pharmacies and clinics are eligible to participate in the new system, but they must register for it, and report the number of patients using the drug.

Patients may continue getting their Crixivan from Stadtlanders, as before. Or they may get a new prescription from their physician and fill it at another pharmacy. Patients can call 1-888-CRIXIVAN to find a participating pharmacy near them, or to ask other questions about the program.