Listen: The Cost Of PrEP, The HIV Prevention Pill

December 18, 2019

Can’t see the audio player? Click here to listen.

This story also ran on Vox. This story can be republished for free (details).

KHN correspondent Shefali Luthra joined a discussion on the Vox podcast “Today, Explained” about the cost dynamics surrounding pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, a game-changing drug that prevents the transmission of HIV.

Gilead Sciences — the manufacturer of the brand-name versions of this preventive medicine, such as Truvada and Descovy — seeks to extend its patent but faces pushback from federal lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

Luthra has reported on how public health officials whose efforts to increase access to the HIV prevention pill for those at risk have faced roadblocks: the drug’s price tag, which has surged in recent years, and changes in insurance coverage that put a heftier financial burden on patients.

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Listen: The Cost Of PrEP, The HIV Prevention Pill

December 18, 2019

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<p><em>Can’t see the audio player? <a href="https://art19.com/shows/today-explained/episodes/5c1c3294-b0f9-4ea8-8687-b8851e64355f">Click here to listen.</a></em></p>

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<aside class="related partner-box ">
	<div class="related-content">
	This story also ran on <a href="https://www.vox.com/today-explained">Vox</a>.	<span class="republish-story">
		This story can be republished for free (<a rel="nofollow" href="https://californiahealthline.org/news/listen-the-cost-of-prep-the-hiv-prevention-pill/view/republish/">details</a>).	</span>
						<a href="https://www.vox.com/2018/6/28/17506232/emergency-room-bill-fees-health-insurance-baby" target="_blank" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">
				<img decoding="async" width="35" height="35" src="https://californiahealthline.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/vox.jpg" class="aligncenter" alt="" />				</a>
					</div>
</aside>
KHN correspondent Shefali Luthra joined a discussion on the Vox podcast “Today, Explained” about the cost dynamics surrounding pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, a game-changing drug that prevents the transmission of HIV.</p>
<p>Gilead Sciences — the manufacturer of the brand-name versions of this preventive medicine, such as Truvada and Descovy — seeks to extend its patent but faces pushback from federal lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).</p>
<p>Luthra has <a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/out-of-pocket-costs-put-hiv-prevention-drug-out-of-reach-for-many-at-risk/">reported</a> on how public health officials whose efforts to increase access to the HIV prevention pill for those at risk have faced roadblocks: the drug’s price tag, which has surged in recent years, and changes in insurance coverage that put a heftier financial burden on patients.</p>
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