AHF Merck Protest & Gilead's New "QUAD"
Representatives from AIDS Healthcare Foundation protested at the JP Morgan Health Conference (Jan 12, 2010) due to the steep price increase by Merck and Co. Pharmaceuticals in it's key HIV/AIDS drug, Isentress. The drug was recently approved by the FDA in Oct 2007 as a salvage therapy for HIV patients who are resistant to other AIDS drugs but has recently been approved for first-line therapy as well – thus greatly expanding the US market for the drug and making Mercks Isentress the most expensive first line treatment.
Here, Gilead Sciences speaks on their new 4 in 1 one a day pill for HIV/AIDS. He mentions the need for a balance between access and profit, good judgment, corporate responsibility and fair drug pricing.
For more information, visit www.aidshealth.org
