Hepatitis C

A combination of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir (Epclusa) that is effective against all 6 major forms of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has received the FDA’s consent to market.

New hepatitis C medications have been quickly adopted into practice and increased treatment rate. The median out-of-pocket costs of new medications were relatively low.

Recent coverage of our research, in both the healthcare and mainstream press.

What we're reading, May 31, 2016: a federal judge ordered the Washington state Medicaid program to remove restrictions on hepatitis C virus medications; the trouble when drug prices are too low; and the World Health Organization will not consider postponing the Summer Olympics due to the Zika virus.

Media Invited to Congressional Briefing Focusing on the Value of Curing Hepatitis C; Feature Remarks by Harvard, Stanford & USC Researchers & NVHR Executive Director

Over the last year, The American Journal of Managed Care has covered many aspects of the hepatitis C issue: access to treatment, the cost of drugs, exclusivity deals, and more. Here are the most-read articles from the last year.

Recent coverage of our peer-reviewed research, in the healthcare and mainstream press.

As CDC reports a record number of deaths from hepatitis C, it seeks to raise awareness of the need for screening and treatment. Authors and the editor of a special issue of The American Journal of Managed Care will take part in a briefing on the issue.

The arrival of direct-acting antivirals to treat hepatitis C virus raised unprecedented policy questions in healthcare. This new drug class was initially met with alarm over cost and barriers to the cure, despite the potential for long-term savings, and represents one of a number of topics explored in a special issue of The American Journal of Managed Care.

CDC also published a separate study that found more people in the United States now die from hepatitis C than die from HIV or any other infectious disease. The report comes as The American Journal of Managed Care publishes a special issue on policy concerns over patient access to new therapies that cure HCV.

Advances in treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) have the potential to generate considerable spillover benefits to patients awaiting transplants, especially among those with non—HCV-mediated liver failure.

The authors examine real-world hepatitis C virus cure rates with direct-acting antivirals among patients coinfected with HIV.

Expanding private-payer coverage of hepatitis C treatment may yield significant long-term cost savings for private payers, reduced costs to Medicare, and increased social value.

Expanding screening for hepatitis C virus infection may generate substantial benefits for patients and society, but only when paired with expanded treatment policies.

This special issue presents important new peer-reviewed research, covering issues ranging from access and the out-of-pocket costs of a treatment course, to the real-world consequences-both economic and clinical-of failing to treat.

Member cost negatively affects initial medication adherence and manufacturer coupons can decrease member share by up to 98%.

In the treatment of hepatitis C virus, the gap between efficacy and real-world effectiveness narrows with improved tolerability and ease of use.

This study analyzes the current coverage designs for hepatitis C virus drugs by Medicare Part D plans.

Despite the high cost of novel hepatitis C treatments and patients' apparent willingness to bear part of it, high patient cost sharing is both inefficient and inequitable.

What We’re Reading, April 29, 2016: While sales of Gilead's Harvoni drop, NY state attorney's decision could be good news for the company; and the FDA faces a lawsuit from a consumer advocacy group.

What we're reading, April 26, 2016: the Supreme Court could rule for new process of reviewing drug patents; new Medicaid rules announced; 7 New York insurers will expand coverage of hepatitis C drugs.

This week, the top managed care stories include Humana announcing executive bonuses are now partially tied to value, Veterans Affairs has expanded access of hepatitis C drugs to all veterans in the system, and CDC releases guidelines on prescribing opioids.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will now be able to treat all veterans who have hepatitis C instead of restricting treatment to only the sickest.

The report found higher death rates from liver cancer among the age group most at risk for hepatitis C virus, those born between 1945 and 1965. But increased rates of diabetes, obesity, and alcohol use are to blame for rising liver cancer deaths as well.

What we're reading, March 1, 2016: physicians greet Merck's new hepatitis C drug with caution; 20% of Puerto Ricans could be infected with the Zika virus in 2016; and nearly $3 billion wasted in cancer medicines.