Hepatitis C Treatments Are Cost Effective

Gilead’s Hepatitis C drugs Sovaldi and Harvoni are often targeted for their upfront price, rather than their long-term benefits for patients. Some states are pushing for legislation which would require drug companies to disclose their costs associated with the drug, often citing Sovaldi’s $84,000 course of treatment as a core reason behind the push. Massachusetts has proposed mandatory price caps in certain cases. However, what is often lost in the discussion is the fact that Hepatitis C is the leading cause of cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver transplantation. These diseases and surrounding procedures and complications are not only painful for patients, but extremely costly—potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars. Medical costs associated with liver disease can be lifelong expenses. The new Hepatitis C drugs cure as many as 90 percent of patients with Hep C. Furthermore, there are fewer complications and side effects than existing treatments, allowing recipients to lead better lives. A recent Bloomberg story featured a report from an influential panel of doctors and medical experts who found the treatments were indeed “cost effective.” The report is from a 32-member panel representing more than 10,000 physicians, health workers and scientists “that helps insurers set policies.” The HCV Guidelines panel is a joint effort by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Its recommendatio...
Source: Policy and Medicine - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs