Lawsuit Filed Against Gilead

[MitchMiller]

Two men file suit against Gilead for delaying TAF.  The article mentions there is also a separate class-action suit.  I'm sure Gilead will fight it given their HEP C franchise revenue has shrunk due to competition and that they are running out of patients that can pay.  TAF is an integral component of their combo's.  The article points out that they offer their new integrase inhibitor only as part of a Gilead drug combo, leaving doctors unable to pair it with generics to create a cheaper regimen. 

Their choices shouldn't be surprising in a system where mgmt of public companies have a fiduciary duty to maximize profit for their shareholders.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-gilead-hiv-drug-lawsuit-20180509-story.html

[Jim Allen]

Well its not the first lawsuit over TAF albeit for different reasons

https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=63109.msg706334#msg706334

Business is business, I would perhaps do the same if I waa in their shoes to maximize & protect market position, with that fund company growth, share holders and future product developments.

Jim

[StRBKK]

These tactics are nothing new and not unique to Gilead.  A lot of drug companies do the same to maximize profits.  Remember R&D is extremely expensive, so they need to make enough money to produce new drugs. 

Re TAF, while it has less tenofovir toxicity than TDF, it is not a superior drug in terms of it’s ability to supress the virus.  Elvitegravir is similarly not a superior drug just because it is newer and part of the most expensive combo pills.  It will eventually become more accessible as all drugs do.  For the time being, using TDF and other previously available drugs is perfectly fine.

[MitchMiller]

The conspiracy theorist in me has always wondered if Gilead was in some way behind the abacavir heart attack scare. 

[harleymc]

Personally I'd argue that a drug that has non inferior effect on the target pathogen and lower side effects is superior. But what do I know? It's only my body that I'm looking out for.

[leatherman]

it'll be interesting to see the outcome of some of these cases now that a data review shows that TAF is only a "superior" med (ie few side effects; but no more "effective" against HIV) if taken with a booster agent.

http://www.aidsmap.com/TAF-only-superior-to-TDF-when-used-with-a-boosting-agent/page/3255399/