The American pharmaceutical company MSD will stop supplying Zepatier to Russia for the treatment of hepatitis C. This is one of the most popular drugs for this disease. This was reported by Kommersant. The information was later confirmed by Roszdravnadzor.
“Zepatier” is used to treat hepatitis C of the first, third and fourth genotypes in adults. Last year, this drug accounted for 19% in treatment regimens paid for by the state, and 18% in the first half of 2023, the publication writes, citing data from the Zdravresurs expert group.
According to the group, this medicine is one of the most affordable in Russia. The course of treatment for hepatitis C with the Zepatir drug costs the budget 240 thousand rubles, the cost of treatment with other schemes starts from 370 thousand rubles.
MSD must send a notice of termination of supply at least one year before the actual import stop. The company told Roszdravnadzor in a letter that the decision would not affect deliveries scheduled for 2024.
There are no analogues of the drug in Russia. The Ministry of Industry and Trade said that several enterprises are developing an analogue of Zepatir, which is protected by a patent until 2030.
A representative of the pharmaceutical industry, on condition of anonymity, told The Insider that there are enough drugs left on the Russian market for the treatment of hepatitis C, so it is quite possible to find a replacement for Zepatier.
Zepatier is not a pangenotypic drug, meaning it is only suitable for patients with certain virus genotypes, unlike Gilead, which is suitable for patients with all types of viruses. Other companies have not announced plans to leave the Russian market, so the question rests only on the budget that the state will be ready to spend on this,” he said.
