Corporate “Environmental and Social Governance” performance ratings are less than worthless. Yet, companies cannot wait to show off when they make the cut.Giddy communications shops rush out press releases boasting their inclusion on lists that purportedly showcase a commitment to ethical business practices. Many variables determine the gold star awardees that peacock for the public and shareholders. The common-sense metrics include how well a corporation treats its employees and customers.
Then, just before the patent expired, Gilead brought the successor drug Descovy to market. The shenanigans with Descovy don’t stop with mere patent profiteering. In under two years, Gilead doubled the price of its HIV-prevention drug. In the third quarter of 2020, Gilead charged healthcare safety net providers $445.11 for the PrEP medication; by the second quarter of 2022, the price hit $987.55.