Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #BreakThePatent
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(1/10) THREAD: After months of pressure, the federal government just sued @GileadSciences over their infringement of patents for two medications used to prevent HIV (PrEP). Have questions on how this happened and what it means? Follow along: #BreakThePatent
@GileadSciences (2/10) PrEP is an extraordinarily effective treatment. Taking a pill once a day can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by more than 99%: a more effective treatment than many vaccines.
@GileadSciences (3/10) In many countries, a generic version of the pill is available for ~$60 a year. In the US however, the pharma company @GileadSciences has the monopoly on PrEP, charging more than $20,000 a year for the SAME life-saving medication.
What’s wrong with health care today?
There is a pill, Truvada, that’s 99% effective at preventing HIV.
It’s one of the most effective methods to prevent a viral infection ever discovered.
But it retails at $2,000 a month, so fewer than 10% of at risk people have access.
There is a pill, Truvada, that’s 99% effective at preventing HIV.
It’s one of the most effective methods to prevent a viral infection ever discovered.
But it retails at $2,000 a month, so fewer than 10% of at risk people have access.
The patent for Truvada is held by Gilead.
Well, you might ask, they created the drug so that’s fair, right?
Actually, much of the research and development for Truvada was funded by the federal government and private donors like the Gates Foundation.
Well, you might ask, they created the drug so that’s fair, right?
Actually, much of the research and development for Truvada was funded by the federal government and private donors like the Gates Foundation.
Why is this so frustrating?
More than a year ago the FDA approved a generic version of Truvada. But since then nothing has happened. There’s no ability for at risk populations to access a generic version at a significantly lower cost.
Instead Gilead continues to raise costs.
More than a year ago the FDA approved a generic version of Truvada. But since then nothing has happened. There’s no ability for at risk populations to access a generic version at a significantly lower cost.
Instead Gilead continues to raise costs.
