It says Ribavirin, a pegylated interferon-type medicine, is the only Hepatitis C medicine available in Indonesia, but for certain strands of the virus its success rate is quite low.

Ribavirin, which should be administered via injection once a week, is also known for side effects such as hair loss, depression, decreased immunity and headaches, it continues.

In 2013, the coalition says, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a distribution permit for a new direct acting antiviral-type Hepatitis C medicine for distribution under its generic name, Sofosbufir.

Based on clinical studies, Sofosbufir has a very high success rate for curing Hepatitis C patients, even those whose illness has developed to sirosis. The oral medicine has also been proven to result in minimal side effects.

'€œThis medicine could become a new hope for millions of the world'€™s population and 7 million Indonesian people who are infected with Hepatitis C,'€ said the Cheap Medicine Coalition on Thursday.

Unfortunately, Gilead, the owner of the patent for Sofosbufir, has set the selling price of the drug at US$86,000 (Rp 1.1 billion) per 24-week medication cycle.

Three countries, namely Egypt, India and Pakistan, have been successful in negotiating a price which allows the generic-type Sofosbufir to be bought in those countries for between $200 and $300 per month, which equates to between $1,200 and $1,800 for the full six-month course.

'€œFrom information we'€™ve obtained, several pharmaceutical companies, including Sofosbufir'€™s patent owner and an Indian generic drug factory, have contacted the Health Ministry. The price negotiation is moving very, very slowly, and achieving zero results,'€ said the coalition'€™s spokesperson, Aditya Wardhana, who is also the Indonesia AIDS Coalition executive director. (ebf)(+++)

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