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Gilead Gets CVS
By Robert Langreth and Caroline Chen, BLOOMBERG NEWS JANUARY 05, 2015,
Gilead Sciences Inc. was chosen over AbbVie Inc. as the main provider of hepatitis C medicine for patients covered through CVS Health Corp., intensifying a rivalry to treat patients with pills that cost $1,000 or more a day.
Gilead’s Harvoni and Sovaldi will be the exclusive drugs for CVS’s standard commercial list of covered medicine, as well as its list for health-care exchanges, Medicare Part D and Medicaid, the benefits manager said today in an e-mail.
“Our goal was to create the lowest net-cost solution for the entire population of patients with all genotypes of hepatitis C,” CVS said. The company didn’t say whether it negotiated a special price for Gilead’s drugs.
The win at CVS helps Gilead recover from a loss to AbbVie at Express Scripts Holding Co., the biggest US drug-benefits manager, which chose last month to favor Viekira Pak in many cases. AbbVie offered an unspecified discount to garner support from Express Scripts, to the dismay of biotech investors who have bet on the industry’s ability to maintain high prices.
Gilead Sciences Inc. was chosen over AbbVie Inc. as the main provider of hepatitis C medicine for patients covered through CVS Health Corp., intensifying a rivalry to treat patients with pills that cost $1,000 or more a day.
Gilead’s Harvoni and Sovaldi will be the exclusive drugs for CVS’s standard commercial list of covered medicine, as well as its list for health-care exchanges, Medicare Part D and Medicaid, the benefits manager said today in an e-mail.
“Our goal was to create the lowest net-cost solution for the entire population of patients with all genotypes of hepatitis C,” CVS said. The company didn’t say whether it negotiated a special price for Gilead’s drugs.
The win at CVS helps Gilead recover from a loss to AbbVie at Express Scripts Holding Co., the biggest US drug-benefits manager, which chose last month to favor Viekira Pak in many cases. AbbVie offered an unspecified discount to garner support from Express Scripts, to the dismay of biotech investors who have bet on the industry’s ability to maintain high prices.
well then I'm screwed if I don't reach svr on this trial cause I have blue cross/blue shield and hubby won't change .
"If you travel you have used our product."
______________________
What product is that?
______________________
What product is that?
Hi Sarah
Yes through my employer. They have several different plans but all use Express Scripts.
Large manufacturing company originally head quartered in the Seattle area whose corporate offices are now in Chicago as they have nationwide facilities.
If you travel you have used our product.
Yes through my employer. They have several different plans but all use Express Scripts.
Large manufacturing company originally head quartered in the Seattle area whose corporate offices are now in Chicago as they have nationwide facilities.
If you travel you have used our product.
This was the case with "Incivek" and "Victrellis" . Incivek being the more expensive and the "CVS" pharmacy choice. My doctor wanted "Victrellis".
I didn't have an option. I think Vic was the better treatment. Will be interesting how this all prevails in the end. I have had this happen on other drugs through CVS. Where the drug is covered and the supporting service from your "health insurance" are not.
I didn't have an option. I think Vic was the better treatment. Will be interesting how this all prevails in the end. I have had this happen on other drugs through CVS. Where the drug is covered and the supporting service from your "health insurance" are not.
But why would you have no choice?
Oh, maybe if your work gives you that as the only option? Course then it's not an option.
I tend to think in terms of Medicare.
Oh, maybe if your work gives you that as the only option? Course then it's not an option.
I tend to think in terms of Medicare.
And meanwhile what about the patients who have no choice other than Express Scripts?
I agree Sarah. It is great news. It is just too bad that Gilead didn't do the right thing from the beginning. They waited until they were forced. It's a shame that so many people had to be so stressed and jump through hoops when it could have been avoided.
What wonderful news. To me anyway, since I prefer Gilead over Abbvie. Looks like I will switch from Express Scripts to CVS if I don't reach SVR. It just feels good to know there is an alternative. I may switch regardless.
I knew Gilead must have something in the works. Good to know they did.
I knew Gilead must have something in the works. Good to know they did.
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