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. 2016 Jan 1;2(1):28-31.
doi: 10.1016/S2055-6640(20)30691-9.

Rapid reductions in prices for generic sofosbuvir and daclatasvir to treat hepatitis C

Andrew Hill  1 , Bryony Simmons  2 , Dzintars Gotham  2 , Joseph Fortunak  3
Affiliations

Rapid reductions in prices for generic sofosbuvir and daclatasvir to treat hepatitis C

Andrew Hill et al. J Virus Erad. .

Abstract

Objectives: Novel treatments for hepatitis C demonstrate high cure rates, but current high prices can be a barrier to rapid global treatment scale-up. Generic competition can rapidly lower drug prices. Using data on exports of raw materials in 2015, we calculated currently feasible generic prices of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir.

Methods: Data on per-kilogram prices of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) exported from India were extracted from an online database. To the cost of the amount of API needed for a 12-week treatment course, we added cost estimates for formulation (40%), packaging (US$0.35/month), and a mark-up (50%).

Results: Between 1 January and 15 October 2015, over 5 tons of sofosbuvir were exported, with prices decreasing by US$702/kg/month, and observed prices of US$2501/kg in early September. Over the same period, 84 kg of daclatasvir were exported, with prices decreasing by US$1664/kg/month to US$1897/kg. Using the price estimation algorithm, we estimated the price of a generic sofosbuvir-daclatasvir combination regimen at US$200 per patient for a 12-week treatment course.

Conclusion: The costs of generic production of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir are rapidly decreasing. Sofosbuvir-daclatasvir combination treatment could be produced for US$200 per patient per 12-week course.

Keywords: daclatasvir; generics; hepatitis C; sofosbuvir.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Cost per kg of sofosbuvir API exports from January to mid-October 2015, weighted by volume of purchase (bubble size)
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Calculation of target generic price for sofosbuvir
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Cost per kg of daclatasvir API exports from May to mid-October 2015, weighted by volume of purchase (bubble size)
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Calculation of target generic price for daclatasvir
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Prices of sofosbuvir in different countries. *Price in Brazil based on expert opinion
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Prices of daclatasvir in different countries
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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