Court rules companies can't import Gilead medications from overseas in blow to AFP health programs

Nikos Pekiaridis | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesA court ruling this week in favor of Gilead Sciences could significantly impact a burgeoning class of health programs in the U.S. that federal authorities say are illegally importing medications from overseas. Last year, a CNBC investigation found that these programs — called alternative funding programs, or AFPs — were becoming more pervasive around the country as drug costs skyrocket. Yet U.S. authorities say AFPs import the drugs from international markets in violation of Food and Drug Administration regulations. A U.S. Court of Appeals on Thursday upheld a preliminary injunction in the case filed by Gilead against several AFPs and related businesses. Patient advocacy groups say the decision could force AFPs to shrink dramatically or even go out of business.AFPs have defended their practices as both legal and safe and say their businesses are an antidote to high prescription drug prices. In December 2024, Gilead sued several companies in connection with what it claimed was the illegal importation of its HIV drug Biktarvy. The suit was filed after a Maryland patient received the drug in the mail from Turkey with label instructions in Turk...