Gilead and the Price of Life-Saving Drugs
When COVID-19 first hit in early 2020, I was intrigued that several big companies working to fight the pandemic had offices here in sleepy San Dimas. I reached out to Gilead Sciences for a podcast interview but never heard back. Later on in July, I learned that San Dimas resident Keith Buck had been conducting a one-man protest at Gilead over their sky-high prices for remdesivir, a life-saving drug used to treat the novel coronavirus. In today’s episode, I interview my neighbor Keith about Gilead’s exorbitant profit margins and why Keith felt it was important to take a stand on this issue.
Contact information for elected officials:
Donald Trump, U.S. President
Kamala Harris, U.S. Senator for California
Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator for California
Grace Napolitano, U.S. Congresswoman for California’s 32nd District
Gavin Newsom, Governor of California
Anthony Portantino, State Senator for California’s 25th District
Chris Holden, State Assemblymember for California’s 41st District
Kathryn Barger, Supervisor for Los Angeles County’s 5th District
San Dimas City Council Members
Links + resources for this episode:
An open letter from Daniel O’Day, Chairman & CEO, Gilead Sciences
Column: Is Gilead ripping us off with a COVID-19 treatment topping $3,000?, Los Angeles Times 6/29/2020
Gilead sets price of coronavirus drug remdesivir at $3,120 as Trump administration secures supply for 500,000 patients, The Washington Post 6/29/2020
How secret deals could keep a COVID-19 drug out of reach for millions, Los Angeles Times 7/1/2020
Isabel in San Dimas Episode: “How to Speak at a City Council Meeting”
Updates + upcoming events:
Presentation on Gold Line Parking Management Plan (p. 6-13): September 8, 2020 | 7pm | Watch on YouTube
Community Health and Resource Fair: September 24, 2020 | 10am-1pm | Civic Center Plaza | Call to RSVP (909) 394-6290
Keith Buck
I should mention that I misspoke about the course of treatment for remdesivir. In the interview I said it was 6 1/2 vials, but in my calculations, etc. I used the U.S. Government amount of 6.25 vials. I also should have mentioned that in terms of the U.S. Government using its leverage, the Congress could and should repeal their legislation that prohibits Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices. That’s not capitalism, and it’s not the sort of interference that benefits Americans – it hurts them. Finally, I should have given props to San Dimas’ U.S. Representative, Grace Napolitano. She – or her office at any rate – gets high marks from me for responsiveness, and for not just sending canned responses to emails.
Isabel in San Dimas
Thanks for the additional information, Keith! I totally agree about that idea that Congress should not prohibit Medicare from negotiating drug prices–that seems like a no brainer. But like you said in the interview, there is too much money in politics and lobbyists have too much power. Thank you again for the interview 🙂 Best, Isabel