Estimating the Allocation of the Economic Value Generated by Utilization of All-Oral Direct-Acting Antivirals for Hepatitis C in the United States, 2015 to 2019

Objectives

Between 2013 to 2019, several all-oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) were launched with the potential to cure patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). They generated economic value in terms of the health gains for patients and cost-savings for the US healthcare system. We estimated the share of this value allocated to 4 manufacturers vs society.

Methods

For 2015 to 2019, we estimated the incremental impact of DAAs on HCV health outcomes and costs. We used the Center for Disease Analysis Foundation Polaris Observatory database to estimate utilization. Per-patient projections of lifetime quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained and medical costs avoided were based on a standard 9-state HCV disease-progression model for DAA treatment vs alternatives. Annual QALY gains were valued at $114 000 per QALY. Outcomes and costs were discounted at 3%. Estimated revenues were based on reported sales.

Results

An estimated 1 080 000 patients received DAAs: 81.5% would not have received the pre-DAA standard of care. On average, these patients were projected to gain 4.4 QALYs and save $104 400 in lifetime healthcare costs, generating $531.8 billion in value. Those who would have received treatment gained 1.7 QALYs and saved $41 500 in lifetime costs, generating $47.4 billion in economic value. As treatment costs fell nearly 75%, the 4 manufacturers reported $37.4 billion from DAA sales—an allocation of 6.5% of the total value.

Conclusions

The significant majority (∼90%) of the economic value of curing HCV with DAAs were health benefits to patients and net cost-savings to society. DAA manufacturers received a minority share (6.5%) of the aggregate economic value generated.