Recently Gilead released Epclusa® (sofosbuvir 400 mg/velpatasvir 100 mg), with the claim that it was the first pan-genotypic, single tablet regimen for the treatment of adults with genotype 1-6 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
Of course, like much of what Gilead says, this is not true. The first pan-genotypic, single tablet regime was Darvoni (Sofosbuvir 400 mg +Daclatasvir 60 mg) made by Beacon Industries in Bangladesh.
The combination of Sof+Dac is about as effective as Harvoni against genotype 1 and also effective against all other genotypes. It is also MUCH cheaper to make than Harvoni however the other giant drug company, Bristol Myer Squib, owned the patent for Daclatasvir and Gilead would not come to an agreement with them over making a single pill combination, even though this would have made the drug much cheaper and saved hundreds of thousands of lives in countries where the people are too poor to afford a genotype test.
Once again greed for the dollar dominated Gilead’s marketing program, regardless of how many people would suffer and die.
However obviously Gilead could see the advantage of a one pill for all genotypes. Especially because the cost of genotype testing is around US$300 per test and such a cost in many countries is impossible for people to afford.
Fortunately for the thousands of people already cured by Darvoni, Beacon Industries, in consultation with Dr James Freeman, developed this very affordable Hep C treatment of Sofosbuvir+Daclatasvir in one tablet. Darvoni sells for about US$750 plus freight for a 12 week treatment. This compares quite well with the cost of Gilead’s Velpatasvir, which sells for about US$75,000 for a 12 week treatment (100 times the price).
However Beacon likes to keep on top of its game and, again in consultation with Dr James Freeman, Beacon has made its own generic version of Sofosbuvir+Velpatasvir called Sofosvel.
The combination of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) for 12 weeks has been authorized for use in patients without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis and in combination with ribavirin for patients with decompensated cirrhosis. SOF/VEL is also approved for the treatment of patients with HCV genotype 2 and 3, without the need for RBV. Physicians also have the flexibility to consider the addition of RBV for genotype 3 infected patients with compensated cirrhosis.
So the big news is that Beacon Pharmaceuticals Limited, based in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh have released this new pan-genotypic drug Sofosvel, which is a combination of Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir in one tablet.
Buying from Beacon Sofosvel will cost about US$840+ shipping costs.
Pack size: 6 tablet in a box 12 weeks need: 14 box
Sofosvel Price Offer: USD 60 per box* USD 840 for 12 weeks
Shipping cost will be added.
This is important news for people who have relapsed as the combination of Sof+ Velpa with one other DAA is highly recommended for people who have relapsed on Harvoni or Sof+Dac.
