Generic HIV Prevention Drug Announced

Gilead Sciences announced that a generic version of Truvada, an HIV prevention drug, will be available one year earlier than expected. It is hoped that the generic option will make the drug more affordable. The early release is the result of intense negotiations between Gilead and Teva Pharmaceuticals, the would-be maker of the generic drug.

Currently, people in the U.S. are paying an astronomical amount each month for the drug, which is why activists pressured Gilead to release the patent necessary to create a generic version. Discover why the drug is an integral part of the fight against HIV below.

Truvada is a PrEP Drug

PrEP is the process of using a preventive medication that reduces the risk of HIV infection. When taken regularly, this medication significantly reduces the risk of contracting the HIV virus. Currently, only Truvada is classified as a PrEP drug. However, other drugs are being considered and studied.

Pressure Prompted the Announcement

Gilead has been under intense pressure from HIV activist groups, such as PrEP4All, to facilitate the creation of a generic version of the expensive drug. According to The Washington Post, the drug costs anywhere between $1,600 and $2,000 per month in the U.S., while people in other countries pay as little as $70 per month. The same drug is being distributed in African countries for $6.50 a month. 

The cost can be a prohibitive factor, which means that some people who would benefit from HIV prevention may not be able to afford it. A lower price would mean that more people can take the medication, which would go a long way in reducing the number of HIV transmissions.

Unhappy with the progress made by the pharmaceutical company, PrEP4All got the government involved. The activist group asserted that the Centers for Disease Control, not Gilead, owns the drug patent because it provided much of the funding. This has prompted the Department of Justice to open a review into the matter.

What Generic Drugs Mean for HIV Prevention

It is hoped that a generic option will lower the price for HIV prevention drugs. More options equal more competition, which may encourage drug manufacturers to offer lower prices in an effort to increase sales. However, only one manufacturer, Teva Pharmaceuticals, is expected to begin making a generic version of the drug in 2020. Until more manufacturers start offering the drug, it is feared the cost may not drop significantly.