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How much does Harvoni cost and does health insurance cover it?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 14, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

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How expensive is Harvoni?

According to the Drugs.com price guide which bases its price on the Drugs.com discount card which is accepted at most U.S. pharmacies the cost for Harvoni oral tablets (45 mg/200 mg) is around $33,179 for a supply of 28, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans. This corresponds to an average cost of $1,184 per pill, $66 358 for an 8-week treatment course, $99 537 for a 12-week treatment course, and $199 000 for a 24-week course.

Harvoni is available as a generic, under the name ledipasvir/sofosbuvir. The cost for oral ledipasvir/sofosbuvir tablets (90 mg/400 mg) is around $12 249 for a supply of 28, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans.

All of the latest HCV (hepatitis C) oral agents are very expensive, and usually out of reach for patients without adequate insurance unless other funding options can be organized.

Although most insurance plans and Medicare include oral direct-acting HCV agents in their formulary, it is recommended you check with your insurance company before you and your doctor decide upon Harvoni as your treatment of choice to be sure it is a preferred regimen.

The level of insurance cover for hepatitis C treatments can vary, depending on a person’s insurance policy and overall health. Some insurance companies will pay for people whose hepatitis C has not responded to less-expensive treatments or for those who are already showing signs of liver damage. And some may require a person to prove they have been drug- and alcohol-free before authorizing treatment.

If your insurance company will not pay for Harvoni, they require a copay, or you have no insurance, Gilead, the manufacturer of Harvoni, has a special Patient Assistance Program called Support Path™ that covers Harvoni for certain people.

This patient assistance program assists eligible Hepatitis C patients in the United States to access Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir) and other Gilead manufactured hepatitis C products and provides the following services:

To learn more about Support Path, call +1 855 769 72846, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

If you have no success getting Harvoni at a reduced cost through Gilead’s Support Path, you could try organizations that offer help to people with hepatitis C, such as the American Liver Foundation, Hepatitis Foundation International, or NeedyMeds.

Blog sites also report the following:

Related questions

What is Harvoni?

Harvoni is a combination tablet containing ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. It may be used to treat certain genotypes of hepatitis C in adults and children over the age of three.

Ledipasvir is an NS5A inhibitor and sofosbuvir is a nucleotide polymerase (NS5B) inhibitor. Harvoni prevents the hepatitis C virus (HCV) from multiplying in the body. It is a single combination pill that is given by mouth once a day for 8, 12, or 24 weeks, depending upon your HCV status.

References
  • Harvoni [Package Insert]. Gilead Sciences, Inc https://www.drugs.com/pro/harvoni.html
  • Harvoni Prices, Coupons and Patient Assistance Programs. Drugs.com https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/harvoni

Read next

What is the mechanism of action of Harvoni?

Harvoni (ledipasvir and sofosbuvir) works in 2 ways to kill the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Ledipasvir works by interfering with a protein that is needed by the virus to replicate itself. Sofosbuvir interferes with the reproduction of genetic material of the hepatitis C virus, by inhibiting an enzyme which is also needed by the virus to replicate itself. After 12 weeks of Harvoni treatment, Harvoni will eliminate HCV in 95% of people who take it, technically curing them. Continue reading

Does Harvoni cause liver cancer or liver damage?

Liver cancer has been reported with direct-acting HCV antivirals, such as Harvoni, but these reports are rare. There are also reports of worsening liver function or liver failure that have mostly been reported in people with pre-existing liver disease. The FDA considers the risk of serious liver injury or liver cancer is rare and the hepatitis C virus itself can cause liver damage. Continue reading

Why there is no vaccine for hepatitis C?

  1. Bailey JR, Barnes E, Cox AL. Approaches, Progress, and Challenges to Hepatitis C Vaccine Development. Gastroenterology. 2019 Jan;156(2):418-430. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6340767/
  2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Hepatitis C. March 2020. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/viral-hepatitis/hepatitis-c [Accessed August 10, 2021].
Continue reading

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