HIV meds have become Big Pharm’s biggest profit maker in the United States, outselling those for any other ailment, the Los Angeles Times reports (latimes.com, 2/21).
According to the article, the fact that patients have to be on the drugs for a number of years, the growing trend to treat the newly diagnosed early, and inventions such as the once-a-day pills that make the treatment easier can be credited for this pharmaceutical economic boom. In addition, the rising number of new infections in some communities has given the industry a much larger consumer base in recent years.
The company benefiting the most from HIV medication sales is California-based Gilead Sciences Inc., the makers of Truvada. Their ARV sales were $3.14 billion last year, up double from 2006. It is believed that the HIV drug market could reach as much as $11 billion in 2015.
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comments 1 - 4 (of 4 total)
Ivan, , 2008-02-26 17:31:22
Chris Rock said this years ago, there ain't no money in the cure..... they'll keep finding better ways to maintain us and keep us around to ensure long term guaranteed profits...
dell, Denver, 2008-02-26 14:09:08
In 1999, during his performance, Chris Rock said it succinctly, "...the money's in the medicine, not the cure...ain't nothing been cured since Polio!!!..."
Would any person really expect these companies to put themselves out of business by finding a cure?? Assuming such is really naive.
samuel_999, , 2008-02-26 09:14:06
with such profits what is their motivation to find a cure? why should we trust them?
John, , 2008-02-26 00:05:05
ITS KINDA FUNNY IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, WHY WOULD ANY OF THESE COMPANIES WANT TO FIND A CURE OR VACCINE FOR HIV IF THEY ARE MAKING RECORD PROFITS. SCARY ISNT IT?????
laxoflove
