Exciting news in the fight against HIV/AIDS: drug manufacturer Gilead has announced it will release its patent on the anti-HIV drug Truvada a year early.
The news came via an announcement from AIDS activist Peter Staley via Facebook. “Gilead reached an agreement with Teva Pharmaceuticals in 2014 to allow the early launch of a generic version of Truvada into the market in 2020, a year earlier than required,” the post said. Staley had learned of the news in an email from Douglas M. Brooks, Gilead’s executive director for community engagement. Israel-based Teva Pharmaceuticals produces a number of generic drugs for use in the US and around the world. Teva will obtain the exclusive rights to produce generic Truvada for one year beginning in September 2020. One year later, the formula will become available to other drug manufacturers as well.
Related: Slut shaming of men on PrEP is still happening at a ridiculous rate, study finds
Truvada revolutionized treatment for HIV by combining a cocktail of antiviral drugs into a single pill in 2004. It has since become part of the standard treatment for HIV+ individuals, and the primary drug in PrEP, a medical regimen designed to prevent transmission of HIV.
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Gilead earned an estimated $3 billion from sales of Truvada in 2018. At least one-third of gay men in the US now take PrEP as a means of HIV prevention, though studies show lower income individuals–particularly men of color–have trouble getting access to the program.
Dr. Alan Lord, spokesperson for the pro-PrEP initiative PrEP4All called the announcement “a victory for the LGBTQ+ community, for HIV activists, and for U.S. taxpayers.” Still, he criticized the move as not fast enough to help at-risk individuals. “Even their announcement today leaves Gilead with exclusive rights to Truvada as PrEP for another 15 months and Teva as the only generic manufacturer on the U.S. market,” he noted. “This will do little to reduce price in a way that will increase access and PrEP4All remains suspicious of the terms and lack of transparency surrounding the Teva settlement. I have to ask, what’s to stop them — other than a desire for profit margins — from releasing the rights now?”
The federal government has spent more than $50 million in grants to help offset the cost of Truvada, which can cost up to $2,000 per month. PrEP remains the most effective means of HIV prevention, with only a handful of documented cases of the drug treatment failing when correctly followed.
youarederanged
Anyone else noticed an extreme rise in unprotected sex since PrEP became mass prescribed? We live in a world where new superbugs are being discovered daily due to overuse of antibiotics and other meds, and it makes me wonder. Will HIV or other STDs mutate into superbug versions of themselves since there are now thousands of gays on meds who have no fear or concern of bareback sex with strangers.
Vince
Thank god there are still people like you reminding everyone ad nauseam of the dangers of sex. You should be sainted.
dwes09
The danger is more a misuse of antibiotics, as noted repeatedly by the WHO. People do not take the full course of the drug, but hoard it to use in the future, thus creating conditions that allow or encourage pathogen mutation and selection.
That said, use of a condom as well as PrEP is recommended to prevent infection with STI’s other than HIV.
But the way people use antibiotics is more dangerous than sex.
frankcar1965
Here you go Einstein, since you have so much judgement and stigma and don’t forget all the self-hate you carry. Read it now, briefly it says there has not been a rise in STI’s due to Prep. Besides, how about you stay out of everyone’s sex life and mind your own business.
https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/surprising-research-finds-sti-rates-among-prep-users-not-linked-to-condom-use/#gs.4ijyyg
frankcar1965
Here you go Einstein, since you have so much judgement and stigma and don’t forget all the self-hate you carry. Read it now, briefly it says there has not been a rise in STI’s due to Prep. Besides, how about you stay out of everyone’s sex life and mind your own damn business.
Google this before all the biatching–
‘Surprising’ research finds STIs among PrEP users not linked to condom use
GayMafiaKingpin
@youarederanged: So, your solution, I imagine, is that more people become HIV+ in order to prevent less dangerous infections? PrEP still protects against HIV transmission. Condoms still exist and people such as yourself can choose to use them, or not, at your own risk. Don’t badmouth a drug that has likely saved many people from contracting HIV due to the fact that many people think the drug means barebacking is now safe. You currently have a similar mindset to those who think that teaching about sex will lead to promiscuity, so it’s better to leave people in the dark. Or the mindset that an HPV vaccine will also lead to promiscuous sex. (By the way, if people want to be promiscuous, more power to them!)
Instead, I’d recommend trying to educate people about needing to continue to use condoms. However, that will come off as condescending, since everyone knows that. They’re making a choice, together with their partners, whether or not to use condoms. People already know the risks. You can always refuse to have sex with someone unless they use a condom. That’s your choice.
Juanjo
I’m just here to see the silly comments from douchebags who think this will mean people will have sinful, promiscuous sex with each other.
youarederanged
I’m an atheist with real life experience. Many gays in LA don’t use condoms anymore. Never. And there is a direct connection between PrEP and feeling comfortable with bareback sex with strangers. That’s a fact. It’s not a sin, it’s just dumb.
Catholicslutbox
They did that before prep, and would still be doing if prep never existed.
Juanjo
Miss Deranged never fails to deliver.
DavidIntl
youarederanged, in 2019, sex with a condom is just dumb – pleasureless to the point of creating dysfunction, for many of us. I am now in a monogamous relationship, so it isn’t currently relevant to me, but the introduction of PrEP and its widespread adoption are highly positive developments.
Catholicslutbox
lol. all those ppl that caught the bug in the 90s thought they were in a mono-relay too. thinkin’ that is far dumber than “sex with a condom”
trololololol. “monogamous”
dwes09
Actually, by the 90’s anybody who was not getting tested regularly was foolish. As was anyone who had unprotected sex or didn’t know their own status.
This however:
“trololololol.” labels you as pretty damned foolish as well. Or at best very immature.
youarederanged
Dude, read some statistics on std infection rates. You’re clueless if you think sex with a condom is dumb.
Kangol2
Speak for yourself. “Sex with a condom” is not “dumb” nor is it inherently “pleasureless.” It may be for you but not for everyone. I’m not saying that people have to or should wear condoms, but rather that those who do are not “dumb” and the sex can be very hot. PrEP is a net good in my opinion, as are regular testing and condom use for those who choose to do so.
SportGuy
Sex without a condom is moronic. Prep is meant to be used with condoms.
frankcar1965
Google this from Gay Star News before throwing stigma on Prep users-
‘Surprising’ research finds STIs among PrEP users not linked to condom use
kayakriver
From Trump today:
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
Great news today: My Administration just secured a historic donation of HIV prevention drugs from Gilead to help expand access to PrEP for the uninsured and those at risk. Will help us achieve our goal of ending the HIV epidemic in America!
truthseeker
Strange that was excluded from the article. Thank you, President Trump
Diplomat-G
@kayakriver
F**K trump….
Juanjo
Girlfriend has been busy today and yesterday, posting that blurb everywhere regardless of relevance.
Amusing. Let’s look at reality. Truvada for PrEP was developed and patented by the US government. Gilead spent not one single penny in development or testing. They have a monopoly on the drug in the market. One which earned them 3 billion in profits last year alone. And they jacked up the price this year. So, manufacturing costs are about sixty cents a dose is sold for around 55.00 a dose. They agree to release the drug to 200,000 people who can’t afford it. Great. They donate 1.4 million dollars worth of Truvada and make over 3 billion off it. Good deal. When do they reimburse the US taxpayers for the costs of development and testing?
I am delighted that Trump the Chump #the biggest loser “negotiated” this deal and 200,000 people will benefit. But in proportion, it is the equivalent to you tossing a quarter to a homeless person.
Brian
Is that accurate that 1/3 of gay men are on pRep? That seems really high.
Creamsicle
Let’s just let everyone enjoy their sex lives with or without PrEP. Not everyone can take it, since it can cause renal complications in some patients. If you decide to take it, then cool. If not, then cool. Have as safe sex as you can, and respect everyone else’s private medical decisions.
Kangol2
Thank you!
Stefan1974
The patent for Truvada expired in Europe in July 2017. Here in germany PREP is available for 40 Euro per month (28 pills). [40 Euros, thats 33,61 € +VAT]
Up to now it is not covered by insurance, but it is planned to cover the cost of PREP by autumn.