See the Generic TDF/FTC (Truvada®) Fact Sheet from the San Francisco Department of Public Health for details on how this will affect access to PrEP.
Highlights from the Fact Sheet:
- The Gilead patent on Truvada® expired on September 30, 2020.
- Now that the patent has expired, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., has the exclusive rights to market generic TDF/FTC for next 6 months, then other producers will join the market and drive down prices even more.
- The generic medication TDF/FTC will protect people from HIV just as effectively as the brand name version always has.
- If you are uninsured or have Medi-Cal: your costs for PrEP will not change at this time.
- If you have private insurance: if the pharmacy gives you the generic medication and you owe a co-pay for it, you can request to fill brand-name Truvada® (may require an “override”) and use the Gilead Co-Pay Card (gileadcopay.com) to cover the cost.
- The vast majority of insurance plans operating in California are required to start covering PrEP medication without cost sharing, no later than January 1, 2021. This means that by that date, it is likely everyone will pay $0 for PrEP. But it is possible that this will not take effect widely until January 1, 2021.
Bottom Line: When filling your next bottle at the pharmacy, if you face ANY challenges, or if you are charged more than you’ve been charged in the past, please contact your PrEP provider immediately!