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(Newser)
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Thursday, President Trump tweeted the news: a ad According to Health and Social Services Secretary Alex Azar, Gilead Sciences, the manufacturer of the only drug approved for HIV prevention, would donate enough Truvada to treat 200,000 patients each year for at least 2025 or even 2030. Azar it is noted The initiative would provide the once-daily pill – a diet called pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP – to uninsured people at risk of contracting HIV, particularly in "priority areas". The cost of a year of Truvada is about $ 20,000 in the United States. "Securing this commitment is a major step in the Trump administration's efforts to utilize the prevention and treatment tools we have to end the HIV epidemic in America." here 2030, "said Azar. New York Times. Both Time and Stat News, however, note a "mixed" reaction.
"This is a very important development that will greatly contribute to HIV prevention," said Carl Schmid, of the AIDS Institute, also co-chair of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV / AIDS. HIV / AIDS. But HIV activists say Gilead's donations will only serve 20% of the people who need it and that a significant reduction in the price of Truvada – and its potential replacement, Descovy – would help more people in all areas . Gilead has also filed lawsuits against companies trying to offer the United States generic versions of Truvada cheaper, all with secret regulations. "Let's call a cat a cat," says an infectious disease doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Time. "The real cost of Truvada is about $ 60 a year. If you really wanted to cover everyone, you would reduce the price to everyone. "(Read more stories about HIV.)
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