Gilead Sciences: the Global Access Program for Hiv Drugs
Gilead Sciences: The Global Access Program for HIV Drugs
Viread (chemical name tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is a significant new drug for the treatment of HIV/AIDS found by Gilead Sciences, which received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the commercial sale in October 2001.[1] As Gilead made plans to take the drug global in early 2003, pricing and distribution became key considerations. There were also many other considerations, such as designing an access program in other countries, registration of the drug in each country before it could be used, funding issues, distribution issues, and public perception of the company. Although there are many problems to be considered, it could solve these problems for Gilead to make a major contribution to the treatment of AIDS throughout the world.
It is true that Gilead would have to be sensitive when designing an access program. The company needs funding to distribute the pills to developing nations, since the company can’t just provide it for free. Gilead shouldn’t risk their own company and people. Gilead’s idea of grouping the nations of the world into four tiers by per capita gross national income [2] is a good way of starting the process of pricing. By learning other countries social and cultural background, process of registration of a drug, and help from organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), would lead to properly distribute the drug.
Patent protection of the property is also important. It is important to review different laws of patent in different countries, and get every protection for their product and intellectual property. It is not only to limit Gilead to produce and sell the product, but also to prevent any like-Viread drugs that could cause serious health problems.
Although Gilead is trying to do the right thing, their pricing and protection of intellectual property, patent, could easily be judged. By advertising their good work of trying to
Viread (chemical name tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is a significant new drug for the treatment of HIV/AIDS found by Gilead Sciences, which received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the commercial sale in October 2001.[1] As Gilead made plans to take the drug global in early 2003, pricing and distribution became key considerations. There were also many other considerations, such as designing an access program in other countries, registration of the drug in each country before it could be used, funding issues, distribution issues, and public perception of the company. Although there are many problems to be considered, it could solve these problems for Gilead to make a major contribution to the treatment of AIDS throughout the world.
It is true that Gilead would have to be sensitive when designing an access program. The company needs funding to distribute the pills to developing nations, since the company can’t just provide it for free. Gilead shouldn’t risk their own company and people. Gilead’s idea of grouping the nations of the world into four tiers by per capita gross national income [2] is a good way of starting the process of pricing. By learning other countries social and cultural background, process of registration of a drug, and help from organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), would lead to properly distribute the drug.
Patent protection of the property is also important. It is important to review different laws of patent in different countries, and get every protection for their product and intellectual property. It is not only to limit Gilead to produce and sell the product, but also to prevent any like-Viread drugs that could cause serious health problems.
Although Gilead is trying to do the right thing, their pricing and protection of intellectual property, patent, could easily be judged. By advertising their good work of trying to