Boceprevir (Victrelis) Patient Assistance Program

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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

SourceMerck & Co. http://victrelis.com/boceprevir/victrelis/consumer/index.jsp.

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2011/0531_2011_a.html