Ontario provides access to Biktarvy for the treatment of HIV

Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc. announced that effective July 31, the Ontario Drug Benefit Program will provide eligible patients with access to Biktarvy (bictegravir 50 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg) tablets, a once-daily single tablet and complete regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults. Health Canada granted a Notice of Compliance for Biktarvy in July 2018.

Dr.Jason Brunetta, Director at Maple Leaf Research, a treating physician at Maple Leaf Medical Clinic (Toronto), and a Principal Investigator on Biktarvy clinical trials stated- “In clinical trials through 96 weeks, Biktarvy has shown high efficacy and zero resistance. With convenient once-a-day dosing of a small single tablet and few pre-screening or ongoing monitoring requirements, Biktarvy has simplified treatment initiation, and follow-up, over time.”

UNAIDS (The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS) has set a goal of 90-90-90 by 2020 meaning: 90 per cent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status; 90 per cent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 90 per cent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

According to the most recent data from the Public Health Agency of Canada (2016), 63,110 people were living with HIV in Canada. In 2016, it was estimated that 86 per cent of Canadians living with HIV are diagnosed, 81 per cent of patients diagnosed are on treatment, and 91 per cent of positive Canadians on treatment have achieved viral suppression.

Biktarvy is Gilead Canada’s fourth tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)-based therapy. The TAF-based therapies include: Genvoya (elvitegravir 150 mg/cobicistat 150 mg/ emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 10 mg), Descovy (emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 10 mg and 25 mg) tablets and Odefsey (emtricitabine 200 mg/rilpivirine 25 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg) tablets.