Gilead to provide Sovaldi in Egypt for $900
Starting next half, Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) will provide HCV drug Sovaldi sofosbuvir in Egypt at $300 for a four-week supply -- or $900 for a 12-week course of therapy -- after finalizing an agreement with the country's National Liver Committee. According to Gilead, Egypt has the highest prevalence rate of HCV in the world. The wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) for a 12-week course of Sovaldi in the U.S. is $84,000. FDA approved the nucleotide analog HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitor in December.
On Thursday, Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee sent a letter to Gilead CEO John Martin requesting information on the company's pricing methodology for Sovaldi, including the extent of Gilead's discounts for Sovaldi. Gilead did not disclose whether it plans to submit a response to the letter (see BioCentury Extra, March 20). ...