editorial in NY times last week about the cost of sofosbuvir, new highly effective oral medication for hepatitis c (see here). a few points:
–150 million people infected worldwide
–typical 12-week course costs $84K ( that is, $1000/pill). this translates to $18 billion for one year treatment in california alone
–pricing is based not on costs (R&D), but Gilead’s assessment of costs of other therapies (which they seem to overstate) and expected savings since the drug is so great (also questionable)
–prices in the US are much higher than in Europe or other countries.
it is a great drug. but the cost may make it inaccessible to lots of people (some insurors not cover), or increase overall costs of health care (which is passed on to the govt and all of us), or limiting access to particular groups with perhaps more advanced disease (may be assoc with increased morbidity/mortality in waiting too long).
geofff