I just had a conversation with a rep from Gilead and for Canada Solvadi will be given with Interferon only for geno's 1 and 4. Other geno's will be able to use Solvadi and Ribivirin . So that leaves the hardest to treat and the ones who can't tolerate Interferon on the sideline again.
Cinnamon Girl said
Dec 20, 2013
Yes, I agree with you, Malcolm, it`s hard to believe some of the numbers quoted, and in the UK the incidence of infection always seem to be underestimated. I`m not sure whether that`s because of low levels of awareness, under diagnosis, or sheer lack of interest on the part of the medical profession.
I can`t imagine that our cash-strapped NHS will be willing to fund treatment with Sovaldi unless the price drops dramatically, and the same goes for many other parts of the world where it`s going to be a long, slow catch up.
mallani said
Dec 19, 2013
Hi Jill,
I'm always interested to see HCV rates as quoted by Government Agencies. Canada appears to have a low rate of HCV infection, and I wonder why. Various reports give the incidence at between 0.7 and 1%, which is very low compared with the USA and Australia. Some reports say 75% of patients haven't been tested and others say 35%. I would be inclined to believe the former. Most Governments, who won't be able to fund drugs like Sovaldi, tend to underestimate HCV incidence. The UK is a prime example. Just stirring.............
Cinnamon Girl said
Dec 19, 2013
Hi Neil, yes, it is good news, and it was approved by Canada Health within 2 weeks of the US FDA approval, so very quick. You have good reason to be optimistic about your future with so many new and more effective drug combos coming through, and as Matt mentioned, by the time you see your doctor in 6 months time Gilead will be waiting for US approval for its Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir combo, which will an all oral treatment. Keep your chin up!
Matt Chris said
Dec 19, 2013
This is good news for all our Canadian Hepcfriends and just the beginning of many more options for treatments to come inside of a years time.
Neil you would most likely be a candidate for the Gilead combo (Sofosbuvir and Ledipasvir) to be available in the late summer or early fall of 2014
matt
Neil_Canuck said
Dec 19, 2013
Well Jill, that's real good news for us Canucks. No idea when my specialist will let me
do another course of treatment but it's nice to know that the next generation of drugs
has started to filter into the Canadian market.
Cinnamon Girl said
Dec 19, 2013
TORONTO, 17th Dec - Health Canada has approved Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), a once-daily tablet for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C that could transform treatment of the disease for thousands of Canadians.
Gilead Sciences Canada said on Monday the cost of Sovaldi to consumers won't be available until the prescription drug goes on sale in pharmacies in early January, as the company is currently finalizing the price with regulatory authorities.
In the U.S., where the drug was approved by the FDA about two weeks ago, the parent company said a 12-week supply of Sovaldi would cost $84,000. That price could as much as double for patients with a subtype of the disease that would require them to take the drug longer.
Gilead Sciences Canada said it will launch a program on Jan. 6 to provide support services for patients and health-care providers, including access to case managers to help with insurance-related needs. Another program will provide financial assistance for eligible patients who need help paying for out-of-pocket medication costs.
I just had a conversation with a rep from Gilead and for Canada Solvadi will be given with Interferon only for geno's 1 and 4. Other geno's will be able to use Solvadi and Ribivirin . So that leaves the hardest to treat and the ones who can't tolerate Interferon on the sideline again.
Yes, I agree with you, Malcolm, it`s hard to believe some of the numbers quoted, and in the UK the incidence of infection always seem to be underestimated. I`m not sure whether that`s because of low levels of awareness, under diagnosis, or sheer lack of interest on the part of the medical profession.
I can`t imagine that our cash-strapped NHS will be willing to fund treatment with Sovaldi unless the price drops dramatically, and the same goes for many other parts of the world where it`s going to be a long, slow catch up.
Hi Jill,
I'm always interested to see HCV rates as quoted by Government Agencies. Canada appears to have a low rate of HCV infection, and I wonder why. Various reports give the incidence at between 0.7 and 1%, which is very low compared with the USA and Australia. Some reports say 75% of patients haven't been tested and others say 35%. I would be inclined to believe the former. Most Governments, who won't be able to fund drugs like Sovaldi, tend to underestimate HCV incidence. The UK is a prime example. Just stirring.............
Hi Neil, yes, it is good news, and it was approved by Canada Health within 2 weeks of the US FDA approval, so very quick. You have good reason to be optimistic about your future with so many new and more effective drug combos coming through, and as Matt mentioned, by the time you see your doctor in 6 months time Gilead will be waiting for US approval for its Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir combo, which will an all oral treatment. Keep your chin up!
This is good news for all our Canadian Hepcfriends and just the beginning of many more options for treatments to come inside of a years time.
Neil you would most likely be a candidate for the Gilead combo (Sofosbuvir and Ledipasvir) to be available in the late summer or early fall of 2014
matt
do another course of treatment but it's nice to know that the next generation of drugs
has started to filter into the Canadian market.
TORONTO, 17th Dec - Health Canada has approved Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), a once-daily tablet for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C that could transform treatment of the disease for thousands of Canadians.
Gilead Sciences Canada said on Monday the cost of Sovaldi to consumers won't be available until the prescription drug goes on sale in pharmacies in early January, as the company is currently finalizing the price with regulatory authorities.
In the U.S., where the drug was approved by the FDA about two weeks ago, the parent company said a 12-week supply of Sovaldi would cost $84,000. That price could as much as double for patients with a subtype of the disease that would require them to take the drug longer.
Gilead Sciences Canada said it will launch a program on Jan. 6 to provide support services for patients and health-care providers, including access to case managers to help with insurance-related needs. Another program will provide financial assistance for eligible patients who need help paying for out-of-pocket medication costs.
Full article...
http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Health+Canada+approves+hepatitis+drug+with+faster+cure+time+taken/9293222/story.html