Price concerns over hepatitis C drug
May 1, 2014
Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) has become the 800-pound gorilla in the hepatitis C wars. The drug has better cure rates than other drugs on the market and it allows for interferon-free regimens for some hepatitis C genotypes. But Gilead Sciences, which manufactures and markets sofosbuvir, has come under fire for pricing the drug at about $84,000 for a 12-week course ($1000/pill). According to The New York Times, Democratic members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee are demanding that Gilead justify the price. Patient advocacy groups and pharmacy benefit management companies are also critical of the pricing. With 3-4 million Americans infected with hepatitis C virus, the drug is destined to be a blockbuster. Most analysts feel the Republican-controlled House will not act on price controls, rather opting to let the market regulate prices. There are new drugs coming onto the market within a year that may provide some competition in pricing.
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