TreatmentTrends: Hepatitis C | Treatment Algorithms | Claims Data Analysis | US | 2014
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection is a leading cause of advanced liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma and a common indication for liver transplantation. The FDA’s approval of Gilead’s Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen/Medivir’s Olysio (simeprevir) in 2013 ushered in an era of interferon-free therapy for chronic HCV infection and triggered a major shift in the HCV treatment paradigm. With the availability of these new agents and the anticipated near-term launch of other promising therapies (e.g., Gilead’s Harvoni [sofosbuvir/ledipasvir fixed-dose combination]), the treatment landscape for HCV is expected to rapidly evolve and experience major improvements in drug safety and tolerability, efficacy, compliance, and treatment duration. This report focuses on the current and anticipated use of Sovaldi- and Olysio-containing regimens, interferon-based regimens, and emerging interferon-free regimens—including Gilead’s Harvoni, Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Daklinza (daclatasvir), and AbbVie’s three-direct-acting agent (DAA) combination (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir + dasabuvir)—by capturing patient-share data, current prescribing trends, and anticipated changes in prescribing and treatment behavior. We also evaluate physician-perceived strengths and weaknesses, barriers to uptake, and salesforce performance associated with key brands and physician awareness of, interest in, and potential impact of agents in development.
