Gilead targets Medicaid with launch of HCV generics

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) hopes a plan to launch authorized generics of two HCV drugs will lower out-of-pocket costs for patients and increase its share in the Medicaid population. But the head of Medicaid Health Plans of America is skeptical the move will have much of an impact on the Medicaid marketplace.

Gilead plans to launch generic versions of Epclusa sofosbuvir/velpatasvir and Harvoni sofosbuvir/ledipasvir in the U.S. in January through newly formed subsidiary Asegua Therapeutics LLC at 68% and 75% discounts compared with the branded versions. The generics will each have a list price of $24,000 for a 12-week regimen, compared with a wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of $74,760 for branded Epclusa and $94,500 for branded Harvoni. The company said the price of the generics is similar to what health insurers and governments pay after rebates and discounts...