Gilead Sets a Good-Enough Bar With Covid-Treatment Price
Determining the cost of a potentially life-saving medicine like remdesivir during a pandemic is a tricky balance. Gilead mostly got it right.
Gilead showed some restraint in charging less than it could have for its Covid-19 treatment remdesivir.
Photographer: ULRICH PERREY/AFP
Pricing a new medicine aimed at taming a pandemic is one of the touchiest scenarios imaginable for a drug company. Set the price too high, and the world will assail you for price gouging. Too low, and you risk bleeding money and investors. No decision will ever make everyone happy, but Gilead Sciences Inc.'s price for its Covid-19 treatment remdesivir is a solid attempt.
According to details released by Gilead on Monday morning, a five-day course of remdesivir will cost about $2,340 in developed nations, including U.S. plans administered by the government. Private insurers will pay a steeper $3,120 in America. Developing nations will pay significantly less after Gilead in May decided to let generic drugmakers make a cheaper version of remdesivir for low-income nations that could cost as little as $600 a course.