UnitedHealth Suggests Gilead's Harvoni as Preferred Hepatitis C Treatment

UnitedHealth Group Inc, the largest U.S. health insurer, has mentioned Gilead Sciences Inc's Harvoni as the preferred hepatitis C treatment on its 2015 commercial drug coverage list.

According to sources, Gilead and AbbVie have been battling for hepatitis C market share since the approval in December for an AbbVie drug that challenges Gilead's blockbusters.

Insurers and third party administrators have been striking deals for preferred or exclusive status in exchange for discounts for 2015.

UnitedHealth's drug coverage list, which will be effective from February 1, applies to all of the company's commercial, fully insured customers who use its Optum RX pharmacy benefit manager and self-insured customers.

The update to the formulary which is available on the company's website also applies to its Medicaid, Medicare and military contracts.

UnitedHealth spokesman Tyler Mason said that, "We are constantly working to deliver value and manage costs for customers and consumers throughout our business."



Source: Medindia