Non-profits call for Medicare policy reforms and lower drug prices

Reinstating Medicare rebates would save an estimated $141.2 billion over 10 years, according to a Sovaldi sofosbuvir from Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) as a cause for concern and questioned the sustainability of rising prescription drug costs.

Last month, Waxman and Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) requested that the House Energy and Commerce Committee hold a hearing to discuss the HCV drug and its costs to seniors, taxpayers, Medicare Part D drug plans and the Medicare program. Sovaldi has a current wholesale acquisition cost of $84,000 for a 12-week course (see BioCentury Extra, June 19). ...