A recent commentary (J Chhatwal et al. Clin Gastroenterol 2015; 13: 1711-13) makes the point that HCV treatment is looking a lot better lately with regard to cost.
Key points:
- “Sofosbuvir-based treatment in 2015, on average, costs 54% of the wholesale acquisition cost”
- When considering the recent discounts, “the cost of treatment decreased to $56,000…and the cost per SVR decreased to $58,000.” The cost of an SVR with the first generation protease inhibitors, boceprevir and teleprevir, has been estimated to have been $213,000.
- “The discounted cost of treating 1 person with HIV in the United States is $315,000 in 2014 US dollars.” Thus, curing HCV which is more deadly, at 18% of the cost, looks more favorable.
- More discounts and more competition are expected.
Bottomline: Based on these cost considerations, the authors state that HCV treatment should be used broadly and not solely in those with advanced fibrosis.
Related blog posts:
- Updated HCV Guidelines Published | gutsandgrowth
- Hepatitis C : New and Newer Treatments | gutsandgrowth
- Financial Relief For Patients with Hepatitis C | gutsandgrowth
- Have You Heard of Harvoni? | gutsandgrowth
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