| from the AIDS Treatment Data Network |
| ribavirin availability |
Hepatitis C Action & Advocacy Coalition (HAAC) 3904 Perrysville Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Phone: (412) 231-3777 Toll Free Phone: (888) 347-3416 Toll Free Fax: (877) 231-8302 Web address: http://www.spsdrug.comRebetron, owned by Schering-Plough, is a two-drug kit for HCV treatment that consists of Schering's brand of injectable interferon (Intron A) bundled in a single package with Rebetol (ribavirin), an oral antiviral. Ribavirin is largely ineffective as an HCV monotherapy, but does increase the effectiveness of interferon.Schering is limiting individual treatment options by refusing to make ribavirin available separately. This unprecedented "bundling" impedes research and doctors' ability to make needed dosing adjustments or to use ribavirin in appropriate off-label combinations with other available interferons. Some of these interferons may be more effective in combination with ribavirin than Intron A is, and different people may experience milder side effects on a different interferon. Schering's bundling scam forces patients to buy more drug than needed, wastes valuable medication, and hides the inflated price of Rebetol (ribavirin), which is 350% above that of any other drug in its class.Schering has repeatedly cited safety and clinical concerns to defend its bundling practice in the U.S., yet the company sells ribavirin separately in Europe as laws there prohibit this kind of exploitative practice. Schering has ignored repeated community calls to unbundle these drugs. The FDA has expressed its willingness to unbundle the packaging of Rebetron but cites its lack of regulatory authority to do so. The American Medical Association has cited its concerns about the ethics of this marketing practice. Representatives Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have requested congressional hearings into this matter. HAAC and our allies continue to pursue these hearings, as the availability of ribavirin through Fisher's SPS does not put an end to Schering's selfish bundling. Nor does it prevent any pharmaceutical company from attempting a similar marketing scheme in the future for treatments for hepatitis or any other disease.Schering's marketing practices have been unethical and exploitative. Therefore, in consultation with your doctor, if combination treatment with ribavirin and interferon is indicated, HAAC urges you to consider purchasing ribavirin from Fisher's SPS. If you and your doctor still believe that Intron A is the best interferon for you, it is available separately. But now, just as in Europe, you and your doctor have other appropriate off-label dosing and treatment options available to meet your individual medical needs. The other interferons on the market are Amgen's Infergen, Roche's Roferon, and Glaxo Wellcome's Wellferon. There is not as much published data yet for combination treatment using ribavirin with these other interferons; however, many individuals have worked with their doctors to create alternative combinations to Rebetron. Clinical trials of many of these combinations are ongoing or will soon begin.We encourage you to report to the Food & Drug Administration and to the Federal Trade Commission any implied or overt oral or written attempt by any drug company to pressure you or your doctor. This includes such tactics as the punitive withholding of research or community education grants, impeding access to treatments, monetary inducements, or any other attempts to dissuade use or even discussion of other HCV treatments.The Hepatitis C Action & Advocacy Coalition (HAAC) is a national, independent HCV patient advocacy group. We do not accept money from any pharmaceutical company or pharmacy, including any of those mentioned in this notice. Our goal is to help put the control for treatment choice, access and flexibility back into the hands of patients and their physicians.For a related story, please go to the excellent site: http://www.hivandhepatitis.comBrian D. Klein, HAAC/SF email: HAAC_SF@hotmail.com James Learned, HAAC/NY email: James_Learned@prodigy.net Last modified: 6/30/99 Network home page |