One of the allegations in the 2018 California class-action lawsuit against Gilead Sciences, Inc., Truvada’s manufacturer, is that the drug company intentionally delayed safer HIV medicine.
Gilead Sciences’ Development from TDF to TAF
Many people are curious and wondering, “did the drug company intentionally delay safer HIV medicine?” The lawsuit against Gilead Sciences, Inc. states that the drug company had developed a safer alternative to the current tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) drugs it was offering as early as the year 2000, 15 years before releasing its first-generation TAF medication.
TDF drugs are shown to cause bone and kidney damage in individuals who take it long-term. Gilead Sciences developed five formulations of TDF drugs between 2001 and 2012. TAF requires a fractional amount of tenofovir versus traditional pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medicines. The drug company has released five brands of TAF medications, including Genvoya, Descovy, Biktarvy, Vemlidy, and Odefsey.
TAF Causes Less Bone and Kidney Damage
When it comes to analyzing the toxicity of TAF drugs, the numbers do not lie. TAF medicines carry far fewer risks.
Clinical studies were performed between 2014 through 2015 to test their safety. One of these studies, Tenofovir alafenamide vs. tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in single-tablet regimens for initial HIV-1 therapy, found that TAF drugs did not cause the same level of bone loss as its TDF predecessors.
Furthermore, patients who took TDF drugs experienced up to seven times more bone density loss in their hips than those who took TAF medications.
Why Gilead Delayed TAF
It is valid to question what caused Gilead Sciences to withhold the TAF formulation for about 15 years. The class-action complaint against the drug company states that it chose to delay its release since it was the only company to hold a patent on TDF drugs. Therefore, Gilead Sciences had an opportunity to generate massive profit to the tune of $26 billion in total revenue, according to its 2017 annual report.
The efficacy and safety of TAF drugs would have virtually pushed its TDF brands to the wayside. Gilead Sciences will have an opportunity to defend its decision to delay the release of TAF medications. However, you can be sure that product liability and personal injury lawyers will make the company answer for its actions in court.
Based on the known facts, it appears that the drug company intentionally delayed releasing a safer HIV medicine.
Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers Represent People Who Sustained TDF Injuries
If you or a loved one suspect that TDF drugs played a role in your or their injuries, contact a personal injury lawyer for help in understanding your options for compensation. You may be eligible to hold the manufacturer liable for your or your loved one’s injuries. The legal team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers extends the invitation for you to receive a free consultation to learn more. Call us today at (855) 529-0269.
We can help you determine if you might benefit from the class action or if you should file an individual claim or lawsuit against Gilead Sciences, Inc. And remember, we recover nothing unless you win your case. This means there is no risk when working with us.