Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

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the new Meds. question

Arabella1
Arabella1
I an awaiting approval for Sofosbruvir 400mg for 12 weeks and simepruvir 150 mg. 12 weeks, My question is this: are these the same drugs that I am seeing others who are treating with new drugs? What is olysio?

side note: oh what a run around from the Insurance companies, One told me these were generics so I didn't need approval , The pharmacist seriously laughed when I told him thats what the expresscripts rep. said. The other rep. I spoke to gave me a number to call to get approval, none of the reps. had any idea about anything! sheesh!
Anyway Im ranting , any info about these drugs is appreciated.
much love
Kat :)
Arabella1
Arabella1
just googled it, seems they are the same thing sovaldi and olysio, as sofos and simep... what the heck do they need 2 different names for?
WarriorGal
WarriorGal
Arabella,

Yes, some of us are doing these. I am.

Sofosbuvir brand name is Sovaldi (Gilead)
Simeprvir brand name is Olysio (Jansen)

The combo is "off-label" and many ins cos will require an appeal to get approval. Express Scripts does not directly handle these drugs, they go through their especially pharmacies often CVS Caremark or something similar, which is probably why the people at ES you spoke to didn't know. If you call again, tel them they are specialty drugs.

Be sure to contact both Gilead and Jansen to get coupons for co-pays.

You can also contact PANFoundation.org for co-pay assistance that's need based.
allaboutliving
allaboutliving
It's so hard to keep up with the name changes but these drugs were all just numbers when they started out. GS7977 or something like that for Sofusbuvir which is now Solvadi. I have BC/BS Medicare Advantage PPO. They told me the new drugs Solvadi & Olysio are not on the formulary yet & approval would require a letter requesting an exception from my GI explaining my need for these meds. So much red tape but the meds are eventually being approved by pre-authorization or exceptions or appeals after denials. Keep pushing & good luck.
Trissa01
Trissa01
Very exciting, Ara. It will all come together!
Arabella1
Arabella1
Thanks guys!!! Trissa Its true I know it will and really I am So thankful that those old methods are swiftly becoming a thing of the past, My doctor said Hep.C will be like polio eventually! pretty bold statement but I like his optimism. Good day all!
WarriorGal
WarriorGal
And mine WAS paid for by MY BC/BS - which is Horizon NJ-Direct!!!

there are so many different medicare supplement polices and even many different BC/BS products! It all depends on your prescription coverage.