Hepatitis C

After reviewing the evidence for all approved hepatitis C virus treatments, Advera Health has determined that Gilead Sciences’ newly approved, pan-genomic Epclusa has a similar safety profile as Sovaldi, Harvoni, Daklinza, and Viekira Pak.

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.