Case in point: PrEP in the United States. Gilead has a patent on Truvada, which currently is the only drug on the market that can be prescribed for PrEP. They

Case in point: PrEP in the United States. Gilead has a patent on Truvada, which currently is the only drug on the market that can be prescribed for PrEP. They also have a patent on Descovy, but Descovy is not on the market for PrEP. Right now, a month's supply of Truvada costs $1800. Six months ago, it cost $1400. Truvada has a considerable amount of damaging side-effects that prevent many people from taking the medication, and cause harm to those who do take it. Truvada is hard on the kidneys, so much so that patients have their kidney screened every 3 months while taking the drug. Truvada is also hard on people's bones. Brittleness and fractures can happen. The medication can and has damaged people's bodies. Descovy isn't without side-effects, but the drug doesn't harm the kidneys and bones as much as Truvada. However, the patent for Truvada doesn't expire until 2020. Gilead has been dragging its feet for years when it comes to introducing Descovy for PrEP. A lawsuit alleges that Gilead is purposely timing their introduction of Descovy for PrEP to line up with Truvada's patent expiration[1]. [1] https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/mass-tort-alleges-gilead-sciences-inc-withheld-safer-drugs-from-hivaids-patients-manipulated-patent-timing-for-profit-announces-jenner-law-2019-04-19 https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/mass-tort-alleges-...