Atripla--more than the sum of its parts

[Ptrk3]

For those of us on Atripla, an interesting research piece on its generic components as time runs on patents (from Aidsmeds):

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Atripla_generic_1667_26167.shtml

[xinyuan]

I have a couple concerns. They can be answered only by looking at the article.

Who funded the study?
What were the adherence rates?

Unfortunately, the study is so new, I can't access it through the journal web site. It doesn't show up in PubMed yet, either.

[Dr.Strangelove]

From the Acknowledgements and Conflict of Interest Section of that paper:

Supported for the statistical analysis only by research grants from Gilead Sciences, who did not participate in the study design, analysis, or writing.

The following authors have received research funding, consultancy fees or lecture sponsorships: J.L.B. – Abbott, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead
Sciences, Janssen-Cilag, Merck Sharp and Dohme, and ViiV Healthcare; J.M.G. – Abbott, Boehringer-Ingel- heim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Janssen-
Cilag, Merck Sharp and Dohme, and ViiV Healthcar, Theratechnologies, and Tibotec; M.D.M. – Employee CE: Namrta; AIDS-D-14-00127; Total nos of Pages: 9; AIDS-D-14-00127and stock share holder of Gilead Sciences; M.M.S. – Abbott, Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck Sharp; R.P. – Merck-Sharpe & Dohme, ViiV Healthcare, Gilead Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Roche Diagnostics, SL; C.F.P. – Abbott, Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, and ViiV Healthcare; M.L.N. – Tibotec and Dohme, Janssen, and ViiV Healthcare; R.H., ViiV Healthcare, Tobira Therapeutics, Selah Genomics, Quest Diagnostics and Merck Sharp and Dohme.

Hmmm....

I wouldn't worry about their findings too much. Also, the patent for Atripla runs out in 4 years (at least in Europe). After that there will be generic once-daily pills with all three components and therefore no need to take the pills individually like in this study.

[mecch]

What is the percentage of people experiencing "virological failure" in this study on either formula.
Why is anyone experiencing "virological failure" on any well-chosen 3 combo.

[xinyuan]

Acknowledgments

....

Supported for the statistical analysis only by research grants from Gilead Sciences, who did not participate in the study design, analysis, or writing.

... Not completely free from Gilead.

Also, adherence rates were by medical reporting. Not by pill counting, blood assays, etc.