Developing Countries Seek Lower Price for Gilead Sovaldi

Developing countries are seeking to pay as little as 1 percent of the $84,000 price Gilead Sciences Inc. is charging U.S. patients for its new hepatitis C drug. Wealthier countries such as Ukraine and China may not be so lucky, according to Doctors Without Borders, the nonprofit international aid group.

While Gilead said it has reached agreement with Egypt on the discounted price for its pill, Sovaldi, in countries such as Kenya, Mozambique, Myanmar and India, Doctors Without Borders will also be able to procure the drug at $900 for a 12-week course of the medicine, Isabelle Meyer-Andrieux, an adviser at Doctors Without Borders, said yesterday at a liver disease meeting in London. Governments of these countries may negotiate for this price as well, she said.