HIV groups discourage insurer restrictions on HCV drugs

The American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM) and HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA) sent letters to insurers urging against policies that prevent some HIV providers from prescribing HCV drugs.

The drugs include Sovaldi sofosbuvir from Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) and Olysio simeprevir from Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) and Medivir AB (SSE:MVIR B). Express Scripts Holding Co. forecast an 1,800% rise in U.S. spending on HCV drugs in 2016 compared to 2013, driven in part by Sovaldi (see BioCentury, Sept. 1). ...