Gilead is getting away with this because HCV sufferers are stigmatized as doped up, inked up, locked up or screwed up in their youth. Many people think we somehow deserve this as punishment for past deviant behavior.
So, the rich can easily pay $100,000. The poor qualify for all sorts of patient assistance programs. The people in the middle, they are always getting screwed. Gilead based its price on what the market would bear, not research or healthcare savings. Yes, I could have bought Harvoni, but I would have had to sell or refinance our home on the verge of retirement and work until I was 77. But if you are dead or your quality of life sucks, why worry about retirement.
Imagine, Gilead comes up with a vaccine that will prevent breast cancer. It must be administered before age 10 to effective. They price the shot at $100,000, stating research costs and potential health care savings as justification.
How long would that fly?
The CEO would be drawn and quartered, probably within hours.
The Board would be crucified.
Mike