Gilead adds Truvada to its patient assistance program (13434)

Drugmaker Gilead Sciences on Wednesday announced that it is adding its newly approved anti-HIV drug Truvada, which combines Emtriva and Viread into a single, once-daily pill, to the company's U.S. Advancing Access Program, which provides free medications to HIV-positive people who cannot get the drugs elsewhere. The company also is including Truvada in its Global Access Program, which will offer Truvada at no-profit prices in 68 developing countries, including every African nation. The drug will be sold for $29.75 per month, or just 99 cents per day.

"We believe that Truvada represents an important treatment option for physicians and patients around the world," said John Martin, president and CEO of Gilead Sciences. "Access to anti-HIV medication is key to our ability to combat this global disease. Gilead is pleased to add Truvada to these existing programs, and we will continue our efforts to ensure that Truvada is available as expeditiously as possible to those individuals who can benefit from its attributes."

For more information about the programs, call (800) GILEAD-5 or go online to www.gileadaccess.org.