by Nomad
An Indian court has thrown a monkey wrench in an American pharma's plan to reap exorbitant profits from its Hepatitis cure.
This orally-administered drug, Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), was, from the clinical trial reports, not a life-long treatment, like HIV drugs but a genuine cure for the disease itself. The therapy required a 12-week therapy but at the end, the patient would be free of the disease.
In 2012, when Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) announced the final trial results conducted with Gilead Sciences for the treatment of hepatitis C (HCV), the news seemed too good to be true. A 100% cure rate within 12 weeks. The possible side effects, such as, headache, fatigue, and nausea, were minor compared to other treatment drugs.
All good news? A victory for modern medical science, right?
Not quite.
All good news? A victory for modern medical science, right?
Not quite.
According to a press release by Médecins Sans Frontières
The oral drug, which first received regulatory approval in the US in November 2013, and has been priced by Gilead at US$84,000 for a treatment course, or $1,000 per pill in the US, has caused a worldwide debate on the pricing of patented medicines. A study from Liverpool University showed that sofosbuvir could be produced for as little as $101 for a three-month treatment course.
Although the corporate decision was widely criticized at the
time, the pharma companies seemed determined to put the profit margin at the top
of its priority. Some say that decision was indefensible.
Challenge in Indian Court
According to one report, this example of what some see as corporate extortion has been challenged in Indian courts. The Indian authorities have taken a strict approach to granting pharma exclusive patents in favor of generic production. In a recent patent decision, the Patent Office Controller of India rejected the patent application by Gilead on the grounds- admittedly weak- that the drug was not unique.
