WORLD AIDS DAY:
There seems to be 2 main messages that are being conveyed prior to DEC1. First is to encourage early treatment. Second is the appalling thought of the number of children that die from AIDS. As protease inhibitors helped turn the tide on this fight against AIDS, the children, a smaller and less profitable situation, were forgotten. There were no PIs for children prior to the approval of Viracept. They were the only company that codeveloped the PI and were the first to receive approval. At the same time, Abbot rcvd approval for their PI in a pediatric formula, long after their profitable adult version was on the mkt. Funny how both came on the same day. As with the adult version, nelfinavir has proven the PI of choice with the pediatric formula also, due to taste, efficacy, and convenience of storage.compared to ritonavir liquid formula..
I hope all will remember, how this little biotech led the fight for children with AIDS as the huge money making pharmaceutical industry, was more concerned about mkt share.
Agouron also pledged that they will provide Viracept to any child that is unable to pay for it.
So as Dec 1-World AIDS day approaches that encourages early treament and focus on children with AIDS, I give thanks today, that I am involved in a company, that has done so much. Incredible as it is, Viracept is still only one of two protease inhibitors approved for children. Here is to a righteous company that has a bigger heart than pocketbook. And for those critics that would say pharmceutical companies price gouge for AIDS drugs, I will point out that for the sizeable investment and risk that I have faced with this company, I have nevere made a dime, and if I sell today would have lost nearly 1/3 of my initial investment. Agouron does not price gouge, here is to AGOURON!!! |
