A campaign by Ireland’s gay and transgender community for access to cheaper drugs to treat and prevent HIV has received a major boost, after pharma giant Gilead lost a court action in Dublin against generics manufacturers.

Gilead has generated almost $14 billion globally in recent years from sales of its blockbuster HIV drug, Truvada. It came off patent in July, but its Irish exclusivity is extended until 2020 by a supplementary protection certificate (SPC).

In July, Gilead initiated High Court action against generics manufacturers Mylan and Teva, who planned to launch generic versions in Ireland upon patent expiry. Gilead sought an injunction blocking them due to the SCP.

This week, however, the court rejected its application for an interlocutory [provisional] injunction, which would have blocked Mylan and Teva until a full trial.

Sources say that the launch of generic versions of Truvada by Mylan and Teva in Ireland is now imminent. They will be up to 60 per cent cheaper. Read more via Irish Times