This page is an archive. Its content may no longer be accurate and was last updated on the original publication date. It is intended for reference and as a historical record only. For hep C questions, call Help4Hep BC at 1-888-411-7578.
AbbVie is now offering a discounted price in the USA on their new “3D” combo known as Viekira Pak™ via pharmacy “Express Scripts” – see below. Any doctor can prescribe it, not only specialists. And they are offering it without proof of a specified level of liver damage (no “F2+” requirements). This is a positive sign the anticipated “HCV treatment price wars” are beginning. We hope this trend spreads to Canada soon, though the pricing is still likely to be a challenge for our provincial insurance plans. While the AbbVie treatments still sometimes require ribavirin, and require several pills per day, they are very short treatments, and other than ribavirin have few if any side-effects. And they are incredibly effective…Anyway, we are more optimistic today that affordable treatment for all will be coming to Canada in the near future. SOURCES:
http://lab.express-scripts.com/insights/specialty-medications/expanding-access-to-a-hep-c-cure
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-12-22/express-scripts-shuns-gilead-in-hepatitis-c-deal-with-abbvie#p2