Frequently Asked Questions About the Viramune® Donation Programme

About the Program

• What is the Viramune®  Donation Programme?
  The Viramune® Donation Programme is designed to provide VIRAMUNE®  free of charge to sound, sustainable programs aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) in eligible countries. VIRAMUNE® is provided by Boehringer-Ingelheim.
   

  Applicant programs should

  1) provide voluntary counseling and testing to pregnant women,
  2) identify those who are HIV positive, and
  3) provide them with antiretrovirals to prevent MTCT. Click to view the review criteria

• Who is eligible Viramune®  Donation Programme?
  Any governments, NGOs, charitable organizations or other healthcare providers with comprehensive PMTCT and their local government approval and registration (according to the WHO donation guidelines).
  
• Who operates this programme?
  Boehringer-Ingelheim, a global business present in more than 60 nations, manufactures and markets human pharmaceuticals (prescription medicines, consumer healthcare products) and products for industrial customers (chemicals and biopharmaceuticals) as well as animal health.
  www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/hiv
  
  Axios International is an international organization specialized in developing country healthcare systems with a focus on chronic disease management and drug delivery.
  See www.axios-group.com
  
• What feedback do you have on the program?
  Please click here to read feedback from program participants in our customer satisfaction survey.

Process and Documentation

• How do I access the application?
  Please click here and either apply online (if you have a rapid internet connection) or download the Word form (if you have a slow connection).
  
• What happens once I submit my form?
  Your institution will be contacted within five days of submission to acknowledge receipt of the request. The form will then be examined by the Axios program manager to determine that information is complete. Once the form is complete, Axios will submit it to technical experts for their evaluation according to a set of standard criteria.
  Applicants will be notified of reviewers’ comments approximately four weeks after initiation of the review. If there is need for clarification, your institution will be given the opportunity to respond. If there is no further need for clarification, access to products will commence.
  
• Who sees my application information?
  Axios International, the reviewers and Boehringer Ingelheim will necessarily see your request. We invite you to consult our detailed privacy policy.
  
• What are the costs involved with the Viramune® Programme?
  Boehringer Ingelheim will offer VIRAMUNE®  free of charge and will cover the shipping costs up to the point of entry into eligible countries. The applicant must bear all other costs, including costs of handling, taxes and duties, and distribution to the specific health facilities.
  
• How will I know if I receive the donation?
  Each participant will receive an official letter from Axios to confirm Boehringer Ingelheim have approved the donation of the product. For more information about the process, click here.
  
• What should I know about the shipping process?
  Shipping costs will be covered up to the point of entry into eligible countries, and the commercial air way bill, packing list and certificate of analysis will also be provided. You must check if the customs authority in your country requires an Import License and/or a Pre-Shipment Inspection; if required you must apply for it and inform the program manager.
  
• Can you give me any further details about shipping and delivery?
  Other terms you may need to know about are explained here.
  
  Import Licence or Import Declaration Form (IDF):
  This is an Authorization, given to your Institution by your local Authorities that allows you to import goods into your country.
  If an IDF is mandated in your country, your program is responsible for arranging the IDF as followed.
  In order to obtain an Import Licence or IDF, you will need a Pro Forma Invoice that you receive from the companies, as the value of the goods, stated on that Invoice, will have to be mentioned on the Import licence / IDF.
  
  Pre-shipment Inspection (PSI):
  A PSI is required when mandated by the government of the importing country in order to reflect the true value of goods and to prevent substandard goods from entering the country.
  If a PSI is mandated in your country, your program is responsible for arranging the PSI following the below process:
  Contract a private organization. In some cases, only one company is sanctioned to carry out inspections for a specific country.
  1. Open an Import License or Import Declaration Form, based on the Pro Forma Invoice provided by us.
  2. Your program then informs the Inspection service in the country of import of a pending shipment, and then either pays for the inspection up front or pays a percentage based on the value of the commercial invoice, depending on the terms of the importing country’s inspection contract.
  3. An inspection order is forwarded to the inspection company office in the country of Export.
  4. The company that you have selected to perform the inspection will then contact the companies to arrange date, time and location for inspection.
  5. The Inspection is carried out, and a “Clean Report of Findings”, is issued conforming the shipment’s value, customs classification and that it can be cleared.
  6. The goods are shipped onward to your country and you will then use the inspection report to have the goods released from customs.
  
  IMPORTANT NOTE: If the goods should reach the border of the Importing country without inspection, they usually have to be re-exported to a nearby country where inspection takes place prior to re-entry.