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Gilead Sciences, a pharmaceutical giant, has launched very effective yet pricey drugs for patients with hepatitis C in which one of them is Harvoni. Harvoni is a combination of two DAAs. One is SOFOSBVUIR 400 mg, which is a nucleotide polymerase inhibitor, and the other is LEDIPASVIR 90 mg, which is an NS5A inhibitor. Both of these drugs target the hepatitis C viral proteins NS5A or NS5B, which are thought to be involved in viral replication. This medicine is taken as a single pill, once daily for 12 weeks or for 24 weeks in patients with cirrhosis, with a sustained viral response rate of 95 percent.
But, the drawback to this revolutionary drug is that this is extraordinarily costly. Just one pill of Harvoni costs approximately $1,125. This brings 8-week treatment course is $63,000 while a 12-week treatment course is $94,500 and a 24-week one is $189,000.
The good news
Indian Generic Harvoni Released – Gilead signed agreements with Indian companies to produce Harvoni alternatives in India
One of the most effective ways to reduce drug prices is to encourage the availability of generic drugs. Generic drugs are typically 90–95 percent less expensive than brand-name drugs, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Generic drugs contain the same chemical composition as brand-name drugs. They also maintain the same characteristics as the non-generic versions. There are several generic versions of Harvoni available from licensed Indian pharmaceutical companies at reduced prices………Continue Reading
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