August 16, 2012

Congress Members Urge Reasonable Price for Gilead’s Quad

Fourteen members of Congress are urging Gilead Sciences to maintain a reasonable price for its soon-to-be-approved “Quad” containing elvitegravir, cobicistat, tenofovir and emtricitabine, according to an August 1 letter sent to the Foster City, California-based drugmaker. The congressional lawmakers are concerned that Gilead will charge as much as $34,000 for the fixed-dose combination tablet, putting additional strain on state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs). This price, they note, would be 38 percent more than the cost of Atripla and would have a detrimental impact on ADAP, as purchasing drugs represents 85 percent of its costs. The letter concludes: “It is our sincere hope that Gilead will support our nation’s ADAP by considering sustainable HIV/AIDS drug pricing in the commercial market—particularly for the Quad—as well as supplemental price reductions and rebates, that bolster the ability of ADAPs nationwide to provide lifesaving drugs to all those in need.”

To read the letter, click here.

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Previous Comments:

Frederick Wright, Coachella Valley, 2012-08-23 12:14:53
A few more suggestions that these negations for fair pricing(fair and free trade) be public and transparent for it is the people's money and all want to be fair.I for one support free trade in the USA. So, I suggest the Governors and Mayors get together and do their job to negoitate fair pricing for their States,Counties,and Cities Americare Health Systems ( not Obamacare Health Systems) Americare Health Systems for this American is Proud of Americans and Cares. How about you Govornor Scott?

Frederick Wright, Coachella Valley, 2012-08-20 07:18:22
I have to think on this one for a moment. Gilead or the Blam of Gilead is a metifore for the oil that heals and I want to be gentalmen and a peace maker in my heart and gentle with this Company. I agree some states are having a problem with protecting the welfare of their people. And Congress is being kind to Gilead the company, which I believe they need to make a profit, however I must again gentle suggest States pool to negoiate pricing (like Clinton did with global pools) not feds but states

John, Minneapolis, 2012-08-19 01:25:29
This is an excellent letter. A few thoughts come to mind. First, 7 of 9 states with ADAP waiting lists have have republican governors, which indicates that said party may be advocating policies that work against the health of this nation. The ADAP issue needs to be adressed with state, national, and private partnerships. Second, Doctors do not need to prescribe this quad pill if Gilead chooses not to cooperate. Issentress and Truvada are a comparable combo and is cheaper.