Aa
Treatment to start January
Hi All, I haven't posted in a while but have been reading posts regularly...I had a meeting this week with my hepatologist who attented the AASLD meeting in DC last month. I was informed that I will be starting the Sofosbuvir/Ribavirin 12 week course (I'm genotype 2) beginning around mid-January. I have my first appointment Jan 6 to get baseline bloodwork done. There seemed to be no issue of IF or WHEN sofosbuvir will be approved. So it seems my waiting will soon be over!
Yes it's a complicated landscape out there for sure. I am on medicaid and from what I understand they are required to cover anything that is prescribed according to FDA guidelines. I'm not sure about private insurance. As for the patent lawsuits I have read that will take years to work it's way through the courts and will most likely be settled and should not affect the launch of the drug.
I'm happy for your good news, My VA doctor thinks it will become available by next February. Not sure if there will priority wait listings.
Some things to consider
Docs won't rush to new Gilead HCV pill: poll
....On the eve of the FDA's pending decision on Gilead's sofosbuvir, a MedLIVE PULSE survey—conducted by WorldOne Interactive for MM&M of 48 US hepatologists—suggests doctors may not be ready to embrace the drug for all their HCV patients.
......
The majority of liver specialists also said price could play a significant factor in the treatment's uptake. A total of 66% of polled doctors said sticker shock could dampen enthusiasm for a new therapy that could possibly cost between $60,000 to $100,000. - See more at: http://hepatitiscresearchandnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2013/12/docs-won-rush-to-new-gilead-hcv-pill.html#sthash.eciEwJus.dpuf
...
Idenix Pharmaceuticals Files Patent Infringement and Interference Lawsuits Against Gilead Sciences
.. In this lawsuit, Idenix is seeking a declaration that Gilead's imminent distribution, importation, use, sale or offer to sell drugs containing sofosbuvir, a 2'-methyl nucleoside compound, infringes Idenix's patents.
http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20131202-903361.html?dsk=y
Not sure about this
Because of the expense and/or coverage your Insurance company may not pay most or part of treatment cost. They could restrict coverage depending
who should be treated at what stage of infection.
Some things to consider
Docs won't rush to new Gilead HCV pill: poll
....On the eve of the FDA's pending decision on Gilead's sofosbuvir, a MedLIVE PULSE survey—conducted by WorldOne Interactive for MM&M of 48 US hepatologists—suggests doctors may not be ready to embrace the drug for all their HCV patients.
......
The majority of liver specialists also said price could play a significant factor in the treatment's uptake. A total of 66% of polled doctors said sticker shock could dampen enthusiasm for a new therapy that could possibly cost between $60,000 to $100,000. - See more at: http://hepatitiscresearchandnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2013/12/docs-won-rush-to-new-gilead-hcv-pill.html#sthash.eciEwJus.dpuf
...
Idenix Pharmaceuticals Files Patent Infringement and Interference Lawsuits Against Gilead Sciences
.. In this lawsuit, Idenix is seeking a declaration that Gilead's imminent distribution, importation, use, sale or offer to sell drugs containing sofosbuvir, a 2'-methyl nucleoside compound, infringes Idenix's patents.
http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20131202-903361.html?dsk=y
Not sure about this
Because of the expense and/or coverage your Insurance company may not pay most or part of treatment cost. They could restrict coverage depending
who should be treated at what stage of infection.
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