Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Gilead Wins Closely Watched Case Involving HIV Drug Side Effects
Reuters: California's Highest Court Rules For Gilead In 'Duty To Innovate' Case
California's highest court on Monday ruled in favor of Gilead Sciences in a closely watched case addressing whether manufacturers of drugs that are considered safe must try developing drugs that could be safer. In a 6-1 decision, the California Supreme Court ordered the dismissal of negligence claims against Gilead by an estimated 24,000 patients using an HIV drug it produced, over its decision more than 20 years ago to stop developing an alternative drug that had fewer side effects. ... The case was closely followed in the pharmaceutical industry, addressing whether drugmakers should sacrifice profit on successful products by being required to spend money to develop and quickly commercialize alternative products, sometimes called a "duty to innovate." (Stempel, 8/3)
The 19th: Running On Empty: Can A Red HIV Outreach Van Outlast Federal Cuts?
The red van hands out food, water, clothes, first aid and free HIV tests. Locals recognize it across the Twin Cities: the van, nicknamed “Thrivey,” visits St. Paul on Mondays, drives up and down south Minneapolis on Wednesdays and Thursdays, then heads to north Minneapolis on Fridays. Tuesdays are restock days. (Rummler, 8/3)
MedPage Today: Cabotegravir HIV PrEP Effective Among U.S. Women Despite Treatment Interruptions
No women taking long-acting cabotegravir (Apretude) for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) developed an HIV infection despite short delays before some maintenance injections, according to a U.S. study of routine clinical care. There were no cases of incident HIV over a median follow-up of 13 months among 315 women who started cabotegravir in 2021-2024 as part of the OPERA longitudinal cohort. (Rudd, 8/3)
Also —
The New York Times: Russian Strike Destroyed Millions Of H.I.V. Prevention Supplies In Ukraine
A Russian missile struck a warehouse near Kyiv two weeks ago, destroying 62 million items used to prevent H.I.V. in Ukraine, leaving aid groups working urgently to replenish the supplies. The attack was part of a broader campaign of Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, including power plants, shopping centers and hospitals, which military analysts say is intended to make civilian life unbearable and inflict a psychological toll on the population. (Mandavilli and Méheut, 8/3)
CBC: New HIV Infections In Canada Are Rising. Advocates Say Years Of Progress Are At Risk
Dr. Julio Montaner has spent decades in the fight against HIV but says he feels years of progress slipping away. “I am very worried about what's coming our way,” said Montaner, executive director and physician-in-chief at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS in Vancouver, the largest HIV/AIDS research and treatment facility in Canada. New modelling data from the Public Health Agency of Canada shows there was a 22.8 per cent increase in new HIV infections between 2022 and 2024. In 2024, an estimated 2,517 new infections occurred compared with the 2,050 infections recorded two years earlier. (Reid, 8/1)
Business Insider: The HIV Shot That Could Change Medicine Is Facing Its Biggest Test: Getting To Patients
Trials show lenacapavir can all but eliminate the risk of HIV infection. Yet in the countries where it was tested, most people can't afford it. (Sebouai, 7/31)
