Gilead to sell Viread at cost to 68 developing nations

Gilead Sciences announced Friday that the company will sell its HIV nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor Viread at cost, approximately one tenth of its retail price, in 68 developing nations, the Los Angeles Times reports. The drug will be available for about $475 per person per year in every African nation as well as 15 other poor countries. Treatment programs in those countries can apply to purchase Viread at cost only, by mail or by fax. The company will choose eligible applications based on their ability to sustain an effective treatment program, adequately prescribe and monitor patients, and store the drug appropriately. The company also plans to manufacture the drug in a different color than it is sold in developing nations to prevent the cheaper medication from being reimported and sold in developed countries.