Segment 4: Making Cost-Based Treatment Decisions

Harvoni has shown results within the first 8 weeks of treatment, which would save costs, Matthew D. Harman, PharmD, MPH, does not think many patients or providers will be making cost-based hepatitis C treatment decisions. Typically, less than 30% of providers are actually aware of medication costs, he said.

Express Scripts calculated the cost across the 8-, 12-, and 24-week regimens and found that even with the best rate for Harvoni, the cost of treatment is still in favor of Viekira Pak by about $10,000 per treatment, which benefits plan sponsors struggling to make ends meet.

“Plans sponsors have to choose what’s right for them,” he said.