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There is a now a cure for Hepatitis C. It is estimated that 270 million people in the US need the drug and millions more around the world.
Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver. It is deadly if untreated.
Harvoni was developed by VA doctor Raymond Schinazi. This doctor developed the drug with a government grant from the NIH (National Institute of Health).
No question, this man is a genius. We are grateful for the cure he developed.
The cost of the cure is about 100k. Most people need to take the pills for three months for the cure to work effectively.
In India and some other countries, you can buy Harvoni for 1% of the US price; around $900.
A lot of countries, not the US, have developed generic Harvoni for a few bucks. For example, India makes Hepcinat LP and Banladesh makes Twinvir.
It is against the law in the US to make a generic of this drug until patent runs out in 10 or fifteen years.
If your F score is 3 or 4, your insurance may cover it. This means that the sickest of Hepatitis C patients can get the drug with insurance. Those without insurance have to pay full price in the US.
So far, due to expense around 30-40 thousand people have received treatment out of the 270 million that need it in the US.
We paid for the drug to be developed and much of the world has it for a very low price. The United States pays more than anyone else for the drug. It is so expensive we can’t treat our own people.
Hepatitis C is a disease that spreads by contact such as blood transfusion, sex, needles from drug use, etc.
Doctors say that anyone with Hepatitis C should get treatment. And, all the liver societies and liver foundations recommend treatment regardless of your F score.
Harvoni is another market failure. We should reward those that discover new drugs, but this is immoral and ridiculous.