May 20, 2014 | By Tracy Staton
Gilead Sciences' ($GILD) breakthrough drug Sovaldi isn't just the newest hepatitis C drug to hit the market, or the fastest selling. It's also the safest, according to an early analysis of adverse event reports.
AdverseEvents, a company that specializes in analyzing FDA side effect reports for payers and healthcare providers, put Sovaldi at the top of the heap in a recent look at a range of hep C drugs. The company obtained the Sovaldi-related reports via a Freedom of Information Act request, and after sifting them, identified 407 cases of serious side effects reported by hep C patients or their doctors.
Conclusions, after those flagged side effects were examined? Similar to those often made when looking at a treatment for patients who are already seriously ill. AdverseEvents found 19 deaths and 48 hospitalizations, but "many of those cases appear to be associated with complications from advanced [hepatitis C]," the report states.
$1,000 per pill? Seriously? I guess the investors are laughing all the way to the bank! "Big Pharm" at its best (or worst). Same old story. I was diagnosed with Hep C 20 years ago after donating blood and to this day have REFUSED interferon therapy. Thank God I haven't shown any outward symptoms, although I do have some liver damage. I suppose at 63 I'll still have to wait for my "miracle cure". On the other hand, maybe I already got it! SCREW THE DRUG COMPANIES!!
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