Over 80% of HIV sufferers in the U.S. take some form of anti-retroval drug that contains tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (“TDF”) as part of their regular HIV treatment or prevention regimen. Our firm is currently investigating serious injuries caused by the “TDF” drugs Truvada, Stribild, Atripla, Complera and/or Viread, manufactured by Gilead Sciences.
The problem? Gilead had developed an alternative, safer HIV drug formulation than “TDF’s” as early as 2001, known as tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (“TAF”), but intentionally delayed releasing it despite knowing it had a lower risk of causing injuries than “TDF’s”. “TAF” drugs (Genvoya, Odefsey, Descovy, Biktarvy, Symtuza & Vemlidy) only require 1/10th the dosage “TDF’s” do, which means less chances of kidney or bone injury since less of the drug is being introduced into the body and absorbed into the users kidneys and bones. Nonetheless, the safer “TAF” formulation sat on a shelf somewhere, unavailable to HIV sufferers.
Why? Until their “TDF” patents expired Gilead had a monopoly on HIV treatment and prevention with its “TDF” drugs, particularly Truvada, with net revenues of around $10 billion a year! So Gilead only started selling their safer “TAF” drugs after Genvoya was approved in November 2015, followed by Odefsey and Descovy in 2016; about a year before their “TDF” patents expired in 2017!
The result? HIV patients unnecessarily suffered serious kidney and bone injuries. More than 650 deaths have been reported to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration since the drug was released. The FDA sent warning letters to Gilead in 2002 and 2003, rebuking them for falsely promoting “TDF’s” as ‘non-toxic’ and ‘extremely safe’, intentionally downplaying their side effects to prescribing physicians. Apparently, the company did not care. Putting profits over people, Gilead has stated in court filings it had “no duty to develop, test, seek approval of, or launch its new product [“TAF’s] on any particular timetable”.
We are examining cases involving the following “TDF” drug-related kidney and bone injuries:
- Kidney Impairment, Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and/or Acute Renal Failure (ARF)
- Fanconi Syndrome
- Renal Tubular Dysfunction
- Ostoepenia, Osteomalacia or Osteoporosis (decreased bone density)
- Bone Fractures
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with any of these ailments after taking Truvada, Stribild, Atripla, Complera and/or Viread, contact us online or call us at 1-866-252-3535.
Do not stop taking any medication without consulting your healthcare provider.