COVID-19 Remdesivir Priced at $2,340 per Patient

As if COVID-19 isn't bad enough... The antiviral drug, Remdesivir, will be in high demand and carry a high price tag as it is one of the only treatments so far shown to alter the course of COVID-19. But this price is lower than the first estimated which was $2,520 to $2,800 just last week after British researchers announced that they found dexamethasone, much cheaper and widely available, significantly reduced mortality in severely ill COVID-19 patients.

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Gilead Sciences Inc on Monday priced its COVID-19 antiviral remdesivir at $2,340 per patient for wealthier nations and agreed to send nearly all of its supply of the drug to the United States over the next three months.

For the entire story, go to https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-gilead-sciences/gilead-prices-covid-19-drug-candidate-remdesivir-at-2340-per-patient-idUSKBN2401C8

[heron, ASN, RN]

Let’s be clear: that price is for the full course of treatment, not a single dose.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Cost differs if government programs: Veterans' Affairs, Indian Health Services, Department of Defense, Coast Guard, Federal prisons or Private Insurance

Remdesivir cost per single vial :

• US government: $390.00
• Private Insurance: $520.00

5 day treatment = 6 vials cost per patient:

• US Government: $2,340
• Private: $3,120

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" Medicare and Medicaid are not direct purchasers of drugs administered in an inpatient setting. Hospitals purchase inpatient drugs at commercial pricing and are then reimbursed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at set rates."

So Medicare/Medicaid will be billed at Private insurance rates.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/29/health/remdesivir-cost-coronavirus-treatment-bn/index.html

[heron, ASN, RN]

Thanks - that’s the same breakdown I read. Frankly, that’s cheaper than I expected in these days of $300+ for a vial of insulin. Lots to unpack, though. I look forward to the discussion.

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

This is from the article I linked to above:

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For U.S. patients with commercial insurance, Gilead said it will charge $3,120 per course, or $520 per vial. That is a 33% increase over the $390 per vial Gilead said it will charge governments of developed countries and U.S. patients in government healthcare programs.