Hiv treatment is turning into a big profit centre for the pharmaceutical industry. What seemed like a few years ago a profit killer is now rapidly turning into a profit maker.
Failure to develop a vaccine, steadily climbing infection rates, the medical profession advising earlier use of treatment, patients living much longer and the new generation of once a day pills is increasing the potential client base for hiv medication exponentially.
For example; Gilead Sciences Inc. who developed and produce Truvada, and are responsible for the new standard introduction medication in the States, Atripla. Their hiv product sales increased 30% from 2005 to 2006, and then 48% 2006 to 2007, making their market worth $42 billion making it the third largest biotechnology company in the world.
Atripla is now the most prescribed treatment for patients starting therapy in the U.S. and is expected to bring in sales above $1 billion this year alone.
source: LA Times
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