--- title: Martin Shkreli's Daraprim Now Has $1 Competition description: Part of a a new program called Imprimis Cares that will make over 7,800 FDA-approved generic drugs available at an affordable price. canonical: https://time.com/4084455/aids-drung-martin-shkreli/ author: Maya Rhodan article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-10-23T00:49:02.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:41:41.721Z article:section: Health og:title: The $750 Per Pill AIDS Drug Now Has $1 Competition og:description: The $750 drug drew widespread condemnation for a huge price jump og:url: https://time.com/4084455/aids-drung-martin-shkreli/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: TIME og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: The $750 Per Pill AIDS Drug Now Has $1 Competition twitter:description: The $750 drug drew widespread condemnation for a huge price jump twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- # The $750 Per Pill AIDS Drug Now Has $1 Competition ## Video: Know Right Now: Millions More Eligible For HIV Treatment [Watch (HLS stream): Know Right Now: Millions More Eligible For HIV Treatment](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/tSYxkBLT.m3u8) (1:01)  _Published 2015-09-30. Know Right Now: Millions More Eligible For HIV Treatment_ by [Maya Rhodan](https://time.com/author/maya-rhodan/) ## Maya Rhodan Oct 23, 2015 12:49 AM UTC by [Maya Rhodan](https://time.com/author/maya-rhodan/) ## Maya Rhodan Oct 23, 2015 12:49 AM UTC A pharmaceutical company announced Thursday that it plans to introduce a significantly lower-cost version of Daraprim, the drug that made headlines last month after jumping from [$13.50 per pill to $750.](http://time.com/4072535/martin-shkreli-aids-drug/) Imprimis Pharmaceuticals is offering a “customizable compounded formulations” of the two main ingredients in Turing Pharmaceuticals’ Daraprim, which is typically used to treat toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a parasite. The drug is particularly critical for pregnant women and those infected with immunodeficiency disorders like HIV/AIDS. Their version of the pill will be available for less than a dollar per capsule, according to a [press release](http://imprimispharma.investorroom.com/2015-10-22-Imprimis-Pharmaceuticals-to-Make-Compounded-and-Customizable-Formulation-of-Pyrimethamine-and-Leucovorin-Available-for-Physicians-to-Prescribe-for-their-Patients-as-an-Alternative-to-Daraprim). A 100-pill bottle will sell for as low at $99, the company said. “While we respect Turing’s right to charge patients and insurance companies whatever it believes is appropriate, there may be more cost-effective compounded options for medications, such as Daraprim, for patients, physicians, insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers to consider,” said Mark L. Baum, CEO of Imprimis. The cheap version of Daraprim is only the beginning, according to the release. The company plans to partner with third party insurers and buyers to implement a new program called Imprimis Cares that will make over 7,800 FDA-approved generic drugs available at an affordable price. ### How the Polio Vaccine Trials Relieved a Worried Nation  Caption from LIFE. Working under glass for extra safety, technician begins vaccine process with kidney tissue. Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Polio vaccine production, 1955. Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Polio vaccine production, 1955. Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Polio vaccine production, 1955. Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Caption from LIFE. In incubator room, test tubes of vaccine samples rotate slowly in drums for seven days under controlled temperature. The samples are then analyzed. Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Caption from LIFE. To kill virus, worker makes up formaldehyde solution which is pumped into tube overhead simultaneously with vaccine-to-be from tank. When throughly mixed, liquid goes back into tank where formaldehyde does its work. Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Caption from LIFE. Potency test is performed with monkey who gets injections of vaccine just as children. Blood sample is examined to see if antibodies have formed. Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Polio vaccine production, 1955. Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Polio vaccine production, 1955. Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Child receiving a polio vaccination, 1955. 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