FOSTER CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) announced today plans to launch authorized generic versions of Epclusa®(sofosbuvir 400mg/velpatasvir 100mg) and Harvoni®(ledipasvir 90mg/sofosbuvir 400mg), Gilead’s leading treatments for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), in the United States, through a newly created subsidiary, Asegua Therapeutics LLC. The authorized generics will launch at a list price of $24,000 for the most common course of therapy and will be available in January 2019.
Gilead Sciences made headlines this week when they announced their decision to sell generic versions of their popular breakthrough HCV treatments at discounts of 68% and 62%.
As for what this financing model means for patients’ access HCV treatment and cure, Gilead claims that patients could wind up paying less out-of-pocket for these new lower-priced generics. Gilead’s announcement includes the statement, for example, those who are insured under Medicare’s Part D prescription-drug plan, for example, could save up to $2,500 in out-of-pocket costs per course of therapy. They also state that “the authorized generics will also offer substantial savings to state managed Medicaid plans that do not currently benefit from negotiated rebates, and that represent a significant number of people in need, potentially opening up access to our medications to beneficiaries who were previously denied coverage.”
