Sanofi-Aventis and Welvista to partner

Sanofi-Aventis and Welvista are to partner to dispense medications in the US.

As part of the companies’ no-cost prescription medication programme, 23 Sanofi-Aventis drugs and 180 Welvista drugs will be made available for mail-order to residents in three states who fall below 200 per cent of the federal poverty level and have no insurance.

Chief executive officer of Welvista Ken Trogdon said the company would not exist without its medical partners.

He added: “We are committed to improving health and wellness for the uninsured. Our model has proven its viability and we will continue to add prescription drugs that we know our patients need.”

Last year, Welvista dispensed more than $34 million (23 million pounds) in prescription medicines to treat hypertension, diabetes and mental illness, among others.

In other news, Sanofi-Aventis has announced a three-year contract to extend the use of a company’s software in its research and development sites.

The deal with Advanced Chemistry Development (ACD/Labs) will see a special pricing structure, along with provisions for continuing support.

Sanofi-Aventis’ main production sites in the UK are at Holmes Chapel in Cheshire, Fawdon near Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Dagenham in Essex.

The company’s marketing, medical, financial and legal departments are based at Guildford in Surrey.