Boceprevir
(Victrelis) Patient Assistance Program
SUMMARY
Merck has announced programs to help hepatitis C patients
obtain its newly approved HCV protease inhibitor boceprevir. |
The
U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved boceprevir
(brand name Victrelis), the first direct-acting hepatitis
C drug, on May 13.
Clinical
trials have shown that boceprevir added to standard interferon-based
therapy both increases the likelihood of a cure and reduces the
required duration of treatment for a majority of patients.
The
drug is expensive, however, especially considering that it must
be used in combination with pegyalted
interferon (PegIntron or Pegasys) and ribavirin.
Merck
is offering a discount co-pay card that will allow eligible individuals
to save up to $200 each on up to 12 boceprevir prescriptions (up
to 48 weeks, though many people will not need to be treated that
long). Interested participants can activate, print, and replace
their cards online at http://victrelis.com/boceprevir/victrelis/consumer/index.jsp.
The
discount card should be presented at the pharmacy along with a
boceprevir prescription and an insurance card, if available. The
discount card provides up to $200 off the regular price or insurance
co-pay amount. People paying out-of-pocket will receive a $200
discount. Those with a co-pay amount less than $200 will get the
drug free. The card may be used 12 times prior to its expiration
date.
This
discount offer is valid only for people paying cash and those
with private insurance. It is not valid for individuals covered
under Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE or CHAMPUS (the health plan
for current and retired military personnel), or any other federal
or state medical or pharmaceutical benefits programs. Special
restrictions apply for people in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico.
Merck
also has a Patient Assistance Program -- which covers boceprevir,
PegIntron, and Rebetol (the company's brand of ribavirin) -- for
low-income people who do not have private insurance and are not
covered by any other benefits programs.
For
further information contact Merck at 866-363-6379.
5/31/11
Source
Merck
& Co. http://victrelis.com/boceprevir/victrelis/consumer/index.jsp.
