The linked 'article' is not a 'story', but a strictly political editorial piece full of hand wringing conflation and conjecture and contains no actual 'news' about what the incoming administration actually will or will not do.
Given the fact that NYT has morphed into a primarily political rather than news entity, alarm ringing and pearl clutching in a increasingly desperate attempt to hang on to market share, the piece is virtually useless - unless as stated the goal is to panic readers who are on the fence into seeking treatment.
Speaking for myself, knowing that I was very ill, and then being turned down for Harvoni by my US insurance company were reason enough for me.
Now - if you want to have a discussion about how tariffs would affect drug prices. $1,600 US X a 35% import tariff would be an additional $560. bringing the cost of the REDEMPTION 3 Trial (in my case) to $2,160. If someone chose to go directly to say Incepta, or Beacon, that would be a 35% import tariff on $850 (an additional $297.50), bringing the total to $1,147.50.
Whether you go through REDEMPTION and pay a tariff, or buy direct from Bangladesh or India and pay a tariff, the cost for the patient is still a bargain compared to the $80,000.00+ price tag from Big Pharma.
Want to know how an actual business person actually thinks? Not Big Pharma businesspeople - we already know how they think.
1. Unlimited patent derived markup for the first year only, or fixed sum, patent derived mark ups phased out over three years ( e.g. 100%,66%,33% - 0%). Or in the case of lifesaving medicine which is being deliberately withheld to public detriment solely for the sake of profit, apply the principle of Eminent Domain, take the damn patents, and reimburse Big Pharma for their development and/or acquisition costs plus a reasonable return.
2. Get rid of regulations that require US insurance companies to purchase at predetermined (Big Pharma Cartel) prices after year one.
2. Allow insurance companies, and private individuals to obtain their safety tested, quality assured medications anywhere in the world so that drug companies have to compete for business to stay in business.
3. Charge 20% - 35% tariff for US originated medications imported from abroad. This allows domestic companies a slight home team advantage, and a significant amount of money into the US treasury, which in turn can be utilized when it becomes necessary to impose Eminent Domain in the public interest.
Make no mistake, the NYT is a very polarizing and politicized organization with a very targeted and specific political agenda. One can pretend that it isn't, but that doesn't change the nature of the beast.
Failed Interferon 96', G1a, VL = 9 - 5.5 Million, F3/A3, AST 111, ALT 190, Generic DAA treatment Sof/Led (Mylan - India MYHEP LVIR) - 8 June, 2016
2 Week Results 20 June, 2016 AST 19, ALT 32
4 Week Results 06 July, 2016 AST 22, ALT 30, VL = 35
6 Week Results 20, July 2016 VL only = HCV RNA Detected, Non-Quantifiable <15
8 Week Results 04 August 2016, Labs, LFTs Normal, VL = UND
12 Week Results 31 August, 2016 LFTs Normal, VL = UND
EOT + 4 Weeks, LFTs Normal, VL = UND, "SVR4"
SVR12, 21 Nov 2016. CURED!!!