Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

> The wholesale cost in the developing world is about US$6.06 to US$7.44 per month.[5] In the United States, as of 2016, the wholesale cost is about US$1,415.00 per month.

Considering that the alternative is simply not having unprotected sex, it is hard to convince people that they should subsidize this in rich countries. This is by design, or else we won't have drugs at all



>the alternative is simply not having unprotected sex

What about being born to a parent with HIV? Or not making a one-time mistake? Or being raped by someone who has HIV? The issue with HIV (unlike with other health issues that could stem from lifestyle habits, e.g., obesity or diabetes, to a certain degree) is that one slip is enough to get your life depending on that drug for the rest of your days.

Even if I disagree with the whole "make people pay for their mistakes, to amortize the costs for the rest of the society", I at least understand the logical train of thought occurring there. But there is no real lifestyle change for someone who got HIV that will cure them, and it doesn't even necessitate to have a certain "wrong" lifestyle to get HIV.


> What about being born to a parent with HIV?

I believe its use is for pre-exposure? Anyway its not about passing judgements about lifestyles, but since there is a much cheaper alternative, people won't be persuaded to subsidize the expensive stuff.


Well that’s simply not true because pressure on Gilead has already made them agree to expire their exclusive rights to manufacture in the US by 2020.

It’s also not a rich vs poor country thing at all. It’s generic in almost all other parts of the world outside the US.


> generic in almost all other parts of the world outside the US.

in rich countries it s subsidized by generous healthcare contributions




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: