Ask Gilead Sciences To Release FIP Medication And Save Our Cats
Gilead Sciences is refusing to license medication GS-441524 for animal use even though it can save thousands of our cats' lives from a fatal disease. Why are they refusing? Because they have a similar drug called Remdesivir currently being used to treat COVID-19 patients and they are afraid the similarities of the drugs could interfere with the human drug’s FDA approval process. Please do not misunderstand me, COVID-19 is a serious issue and any means to eradicate or control it must be taken, but these two drugs are not the same. The use of GS-441524 will not halt the progress Remdesivir is making for COVID-19 patients. This is simply a matter of a corporation being afraid to be associated with animal medicine when a global pandemic is far more profitable. It is selfish and reprehensible. My cat was diagnosed with Feline Infectious Peritonitis, FIP for short, on a Wednesday, and by Friday he was immobile, could not eat, and began seizing. This disease is thought to be 100% fatal, but it is not. There is a treatment and it is available in injection or pill form. Instead, Americans are being forgotten and we're being punished while other countries have already approved the use of GS-441524. Your constituents are being forced to pay thousands of dollars in the black market in hopes that they can get their hands on this medication fast enough. Mr. President, you have a cat, and I am sure you would do anything to keep Willow safe and healthy as these little creatures quickly become a special part of our lives. I ask every person that reads this to please open their hearts to this cause. Cats are dying a horrific death when there is a treatment available and it is simply not being used.
View Comments