The American biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences has announced the cost of its coronavirus drug. A total 5-day treatment will have a price tag of $ 2,340.
Until September, remdesivir will only be marketed in the United States. The cost of a full course of treatment for people with private insurance is $ 3120, for an ampoule - $ 520. For patients with public insurance, as well as for patients from other countries, the price of the drug will be $ 2340 per course and $ 390 per bottle.
Remdesivir was approved in early May for the treatment of coronavirus in the United States. Although the drug was originally developed to fight Ebola, it failed to show visible results against this disease. But later, the drug was effective in the treatment of infections with SARS and MERS.
A large clinical study by the National Institute of Allergology and Infectious Diseases showed that the drug shortened recovery time by an average of four days, but had no effect on the number of deaths.
Since there is a fairly large network of insurance institutions in the United States, the importance of remdesivir is not only in its benefits for the patient, but also for the healthcare system.
“Based on the example of the United States, an earlier discharge from the hospital would save her about $ 12,000 per patient,” said Daniel O'Day, CEO of Gilead Sciences.
Since it was approved for the emergency use of the drug, Gilead Sciences has transferred remdesivir to hospitals for patient care. The last batches of donated drugs were distributed on Monday, June 29th.
