Future Considerations for the Evaluation of Hepatitis C Virus Treatments in Pan-Genotypic Therapy for Noncirrhotic Treatment-Naive Patients

• Published in: Journal of managed care & specialty pharmacy Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 20 - 22
• Main Authors: Calabrese, Martin J, Hynicka, Lauren M, de Bittner, Magaly Rodriguez, Shaya, Fadia T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 01-01-2018
• Subjects: Antiviral Agents - economics; Antiviral Agents - standards; Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; Carbamates - economics; Carbamates - therapeutic use; Drug Combinations; Genetic Testing - economics; Genotype; Hepacivirus - drug effects; Hepacivirus - genetics; Hepatitis C, Chronic - drug therapy; Hepatitis C, Chronic - virology; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings - economics; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings - therapeutic use; Humans; Managed Care Programs - economics; Microbial Sensitivity Tests - economics; Microbial Sensitivity Tests - methods; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Sofosbuvir - economics; Sofosbuvir - therapeutic use; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration; Viewpoints
• ISSN: 2376-0540; 2376-1032
• DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2018.24.1.20

Given the recent approval of the first pan-genotypic chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy, managed care, health systems, and clinicians will need to evaluate current practices related to essential laboratory assessments used to select therapy. Historically, clinicians and payers required a battery of tests to determine HCV genotype, viral load, degree of fibrosis, and organ function. In light of current and forthcoming approvals of pan-genotypic therapy, clinicians and payers can expect a more competitive marketplace and a downward curve in the price of therapy. Ultimately, this development will lead to the cost of screenings and assessments having an increased role in selecting an optimal HCV therapy.
No outside funding supported this study. The authors have nothing to disclose. All authors contributed to study concept and design. Calabrese took the lead in data collection, along with Shaya. Data interpretation was performed by Calabrese and Hynicka, along with Rodriguez de Bittner and Shaya. The manuscript was written and revised by Calabrese and Hynicka, along with Rodriguez de Bittner and Shaya.