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SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 23, 2022--
Starting Monday, October 24 th, as many as 55 advocates and mobilizers affiliated with AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), will host a weeklong, twice-daily series of protests targeting drug maker of Gilead Sciences over the Bay Area company’s drug pricing and policies. The protesters, who have repurposed Gilead’s logo as “Greediad,” will start protesting each day at 8:30 a.m. and resume again at 12:00 noon PT in front of the headquarters of Gilead Sciences (333 Lakeside Dr., Foster City, CA 94404).
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Advocates will start a weeklong, twice-daily series of protests targeting Gilead Sciences over its drug pricing and policies, including restricting access to some of Gilead's drugs at certain contract pharmacies. The protesters repurposed Gilead’s logo as “Greediad.” They will start protesting each day at 8:30 a.m. and resume again at 12:00 noon PT in front of the headquarters of Gilead Sciences (333 Lakeside Dr., Foster City, CA 94404). (Graphic: Business Wire)
A larger theatrical protest with costumes—a $1 million dollar bill, pigs’ heads and snouts, advocates dressed as burglars with money bags slung over their shoulders—will take place on Wednesday, October 26 at 12:00 noon PT.
WHAT: | Gilead—"Greediad!”—Drug Company Protest | |
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WHEN: | DAILY protests 8:30 a.m. and again at 12:00 noon | |
| Mon., Oct. 24 8:30 a.m. & again at 12:00 noon | |
| Tues., Oct. 25 8:30 a.m. & again at 12:00 noon | |
| Weds., Oct. 26 8:30 a.m. & again at 12:00 noon | |
NOTE: | Wednesday’s PROTEST will be a larger, more theatrical protest with advocates dressed in costumes | |
| Thurs., Oct. 27 8:30 a.m. & again at 12:00 noon | |
| Fri., Oct. 28 8:30 a.m. & again at 12:00 noon | |
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WHERE: | In front of: | |
| Gilead Sciences, Inc. Headquarters | |
| 333 Lakeside Dr., Foster City, CA 94404 | |
WHO: | 35-50 advocates & protesters with “Greediad” and other banners and signs |
Advocates will protest Gilead’s over its drug pricing and policies, including illegal restrictions the company placed on access to 340B drug pricing earlier this year for its branded hepatitis C treatments when covered entities use outside contract pharmacies.
According to a 340B Report article from March, Gilead became the 15th drug manufacturer to place unlawful restrictions on 340B contract pharmacy programs. Lawyers for the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) in both the Biden and Trump administrations have said these restrictions are clearly illegal, yet drug companies like Gilead forge ahead with the lawbreaking in search of even greater profits.
Moreover, according to the 340B Report, Gilead is now refusing to offer the 340B discount price for HIV drugs to providers who use contract pharmacies. Earlier this year, Gilead suddenly, dramatically increased the price that safety net providers pay for Descovy – a drug needed for both HIV treatment and HIV prevention.
The 340B drug pricing program is administered by the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). It has helped provide low-cost medications and better health outcomes for millions of Americans and the nonprofit clinics and hospitals that serve them. Safety net providers like Ryan White providers who serve patients living with HIV have the right under the 340B statute to purchase drugs for their patients at a discounted price. In March, Gilead put profits before patients by unilaterally imposing unlawful conditions on when and how it will give discounts for certain Hepatitis C drugs.
“We are fighting against Gilead’s greed to fatten their corporate pockets. Their money-making schemes not only impact community partners and providers but also patients, like myself. I am one of many voices of community advocates who stand against pharma greed. Gilead cares more about money than lives,” said Jesse Brooks, AIDS advocate and AHF mobilizer.
In response to Gilead’s (and others’) illegal restrictions on 340B access for higher profits, AHF also earlier this year asked Congress and the FDA to conduct a formal investigation of Gilead as well as increase scrutiny of the actions of pharmaceutical companies.
In conjunction with the week of Gilead protests October 24 through October 28, AHF will also run a series of Gilead/Greediad ads in several Bay Area print and online publications. The Greediad advertisements will note that:
AHF mobilizers will be also deploying social media in real time at many of these Gilead protests and will be using hashtags: #BadGilead - #PeopleBeforeProfit - #GreedyGilead
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 1.6 million individuals in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221021005507/en/
CONTACT: Eduardo Martinez, AHF Advocacy Manager, 323.535.8511 mobileEduardo.martinez@ahf.org
Jesse Brooks, AHF Bay Area Advocacy Mobilizer, +1.510.575.8245 mobilejesse.brooks@ahf.org
Tonya Thurman, MHA, Associate Director of Mobilization Campaigns for AHF +1.216.288.5945 mobilelatonya.thurman@ahf.org
(Weds., Oct. 26)Lauren Hogan, AHF Associate Director, Communications +1.310.940.0802lauren.hogan@ahf.org
KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: AIDS PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT HEALTH INFECTIOUS DISEASES ADVOCACY GROUP OPINION PHARMACEUTICAL
SOURCE: AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Copyright Business Wire 2022.
PUB: 10/23/2022 04:03 PM/DISC: 10/23/2022 04:03 PM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221021005507/en