Some Countries Win Lower Pricing For Hepatitis C Treatment; Pharma Defends High Cost

News outlets report on developments surrounding the pricing of Gilead’s hepatitis C treatment, Sovaldi.

Bloomberg News: Developing Countries Pay 1% of U.S. Price for Gilead’s Sovaldi
“Developing countries such as Egypt, India, and Brazil won discounts to pay one percent of the $84,000 price Gilead Sciences Inc. is charging U.S. patients for its new hepatitis C drug. Wealthier countries such as Ukraine and China may not be so lucky, according to Doctors Without Borders, the nonprofit international aid group…” (Kitamura, 4/10).

Reuters: U.S. drug industry group defends price of Gilead hepatitis drug
“The leading U.S. pharmaceutical industry trade group on Thursday defended the cost of Gilead Sciences Inc’s new hepatitis C drug, Sovaldi, saying such treatments offer a priceless breakthrough for patients with the liver-destroying virus…” (Heavey, 4/10).

Reuters: Doctors welcome hepatitis C drug rivals, Gilead still leads
“Doctors at a key medical conference welcomed the prospect of more new drugs to treat the liver-destroying hepatitis C virus, while agreeing that Gilead Sciences Inc continues to lead the effort…” (Beasley/Hirschler, 4/11).

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