Expensive Hepatitis C drug helping Ark. veterans

By Phil Buck

A recent CBS News investigation uncovered alarming statistics on how thousands of veterans aren’t getting access to what’s being called a “miracle drug” in the treatment of hepatitis C.

The drug claims to cure up to 99 percent of hepatitis C patients, but the retail price for a 12-week treatment rings up at $84,000. Gilead, the company that owns and sets the price on the drug, has since drawn the attention of lawmakers in Washington.

“Using Gilead’s own documents,” said U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, “the evidence shows that the company pursued a calculated scheme for pricing and marketing its hepatitis C drug based on one goal… maximizing revenue regardless of the human consequences.”

According to a 2013 trade journal, the cost of making the drugs comes to less than two percent of its retail price. While the VA gets a 50 percent discount, it still pays $42,000 per treatment. That same treatment costs $900 in some developing countries.

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