Discussion Forums > General Chatter
Back from the dead!
Poirot:
Thanks, Bostonian!
Jay - I just posted on a separate thread - Gilead has signed up three companies in India - Cipla, Natco, Zydus - to manufacture and sell Sofusbuvir in India. It is already available in some hospitals in Mumbai and Chennai (from direct knowledge) and is expected to be in chemists soon! So, that is some good news.
Further, Natco has been licenced to sell the drug in 21 other countries - pricing is still not clear, but should follow the Egypt and India model, ie significantly lower than the price in USA.
Waleed:
Dear Poirot,
I am really pleased to know how you fought and won the battle with liver cancer. You are a leading example to be followed by thals and I am finding no words to praise your courage and determination.
I am not equipped with much on this topic so I would like to ask you to provide us a checklist, that is in your opinion a must to follow, for all thals that have Hep C whether inactive or chronic. I have Hep C but PCR never showed positive ever and my LFTs are usually normal as well. Reading your story makes me feel that I need to get some tests done.
Poirot:
Dear Waleed,
Yes, if you have Hep-C, then some additional care needs to be taken.
But, first, you say that you have Hep-C but PCR did not show it - I am not sure what exactly do you mean? Do you have Hep-C antibodies but PCR-RNA Qualitative test for Hep C came back negative? In that case, you are very lucky - you got infected, but your immune system fought off the Hep-C infection!!!
It would be useful from your perspective to repeat the PCR RNA Qualitative test at a reputed lab to be 100% sure.
If this test comes back negative, then you don't need to do much - just keep watching the LFT every six months.
By any chance, if the PCR RNA test comes back positive, then you need to do an USG of your abdomen every six months, and monitor for any changes to your liver.
And, you need to get the new treatment for Hep C ASAP. There is absolutely NO point in delaying treatment, now that we know that Sovaldi works so well for Hep C.
Cheers
Poirot
Andy Battaglia:
Gilead is using Mylan as its Indian distributor. In the US market, Gilead has also introduced Harvoni (combination of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir). These drugs boast a higher than 90% cure rate.
http://hepatitiscnewdrugs.blogspot.com/2015/05/mylan-launches-hepatitis-c-sovaldi.html
--- Quote ---Mylan launches hepatitis-C Sovaldi tablets in India
HYDERABAD: Pharma giant Mylan NV today said its subsidiary Mylan Pharmaceuticals has launched Gilead Sciences' Sovaldi (sofosbuvir 400mg tablets) in the country.
Sovaldi is used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis-C infection as a component of a combination anti-viral treatment.
It is estimated that around 12 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis-C in India, Mylan said in a release.
In February this year, Gilead appointed Mylan as its exclusive distributor of Sovaldi in India.
Mylan president Rajiv Malik said they have a history of partnering with Gilead to tackle key public health issues in India and around the world, beginning with expanding access to high quality and affordable HIV/AIDS anti-retrovirals.
"We are proud to continue our work together with the launch of Sovaldi as it supports our joint committment to meeting the unmet medical needs of patients in India," Malik said.
Gregg Alton, Executive Vice-President, Corporate and Medical Affairs, Gilead Sciences said it makes an important milestone in the company's ongoing effort to make its hepatitis-C medicines accessible to as many patients, in as many places, as quickly as possible.
Sovaldi is sold by Mylan's dedicated sales force as part of its Hepato Care segment.
--- End quote ---
Poirot:
Gilead has already licenced multiple Indian pharma companies to make Sofusbuvir in India - including Cipla, Natco Pharma, Dr Reddy's, etc
And, this drug is now available through local distributors and hospitals in all major cities.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version