Fifteen weeks after its approval in Dec. 2013, approximately 7,100 prescriptions were written per week for Sovaldi, compared to approximately 2,270 prescriptions written per week 15 weeks after competitor Hepatitis C treatment drug Incivek was approved in 2011.
Peter Costa, a Wells Fargo Securities analyst, estimated Hepatitis C treatments will cost the 10 biggest publicly traded payers $798 million more than they did in 2013, according to the report.
Sovaldi recently made headlines calling attention to its hefty price tag, costing $1,000 per pill and $84,000 for a 12-week treatment.
Payers are feeling the strain of this drug, as it currently has no rivals, and it is experiencing optimal results, according to the report. The drug guarantees a 90 percent success rate for patients.
Rhonda Greenapple, a consultant for pharmaceutical companies seeking drug reimbursement, said in the report there is nothing for payers to do until more Hepatitis C treatments are approved and become available.
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