Cigna Signs Deal With Gilead To Improve Affordability Of Hepatitis C Treatment

(RTTNews) - Cigna (CI) said it has reached an agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) to include Harvoni as the only preferred brand prescription drug treatment for customers with hepatitis C genotype 1, the most common form of the disease in the United States. Terms of the agreement are not disclosed.

Cigna clients and customers benefit from obtaining breakthrough clinical cure rates for hepatitis C while significantly lowering the cost of drug treatment.

Clinical studies have shown that 94% to 99% of individuals with genotype 1 hepatitis C treated with Harvoni achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR). Customers who have an SVR when tested 12 weeks after the completion of treatment are considered cured.

Cigna is continuing to Offer therapy support management through Cigna Specialty Pharmacy Services to every customer undergoing hepatitis C treatment; Conduct real-world outcomes assessments on existing and new hepatitis C drug treatments, including Harvoni, to further develop outcome-based strategies.

Cigna Medicare customers will also now have Harvoni as an additional formulary choice for treatment.