Letters
A pill too hard to follow
Compulsory licences for direct acting antiviral drugs for hepatitis C
BMJ 2016; 355 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i5314 (Published 05 October 2016) Cite this as: BMJ 2016;355:i5314
- Adriano Cattaneo, epidemiologist (retired)1,
- Gavino Maciocco, lecturer in public health2
- 1Androna San Fortunato 8, 34136 Trieste, Italy
- 2University of Florence Medical School, Florence, Italy
- adriano.cattaneo{at}gmail.com
In Italy, the decision to ration treatment with direct acting drugs against hepatitis C virus was taken behind closed doors by the Ministry of Health. A 12 week course of treatment with sofosbuvir costs €41 000 (£35 500; $46 000), and the ministry has so far authorised 55 000 treatments—about 5% of the estimated need. The reason …
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