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Health Care Authority announces AbbVie US LLC as apparently successful bidder for hepatitis C virus treatment drug
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News release
For immediate release
Friday, April 26, 2019
An update out of WA State that AbbVie was selected to provide HCV medication through the subscription payment program that seeks to expand access while containing drug costs. This procurement strategy was driven by the Governor's directive to eliminate HCV in WA state by 2030.
Contract will support Gov. Jay Inslee's goal of eliminating the disease in Washington by 2030
OLYMPIA–The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) today announced AbbVie US LLC as the apparently successful bidder (ASB) in a massive undertaking to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Washington by 2030. AbbVie was chosen out of several candidates because they provided the best overall portfolio to assist Washington with eliminating HCV. They offer a product that will treat about 97 percent of all patients with HCV, and they have demonstrated a commitment to partner with HCA to eliminate HCV through its investment in the HepC Free WA initiative.
"Last year, I committed Washington to a first-in-the nation approach to eliminate hepatitis C in our state in the next 10 years. This is a great step is helping us achieve that goal," Gov. Jay Inslee said.
Inslee in September unveiled Directive 18-13 that directs HCA to initiate an innovative strategy to purchase curative hepatitis C virus medications. This request for proposals addresses that directive. The directive includes roles for many state agencies, including the Department of Health, which is leading a collaborative effort to develop the elimination plan.
HCA issued the original request for proposal (RFP) in January.
Hepatitis C is the most common blood borne disease in the United States. Between 75 and 85 percent of people infected develop chronic HCV—a lifelong condition that can cause severe scarring (cirrhosis) of the liver, liver cancer, the need for a liver transplant, and even death. The death toll from HCV continues to rise, tied to the opioid epidemic and the rise in drug injection. About 65,000 Washingtonians live with chronic HCV; approximately 30,000 are covered by state-purchased health care insurance.
https://www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/health-care-authority-announces-abbvie-us-llc-apparently-successful-bidder-hepatitis-c
For more information
• Health Care Authority hepatitis C information
• Department of Health hepatitis C information
Media contact
Amy Blondin, chief communications officer
360-725-1915 (office)
360-688-0131 (cell)
About the Washington State Health Care Authority
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is committed to whole-person care, integrating physical health and behavioral health services for better results and healthier residents.
HCA purchases health care for more than 2 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program, and, beginning in 2020, the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program. As the largest health care purchaser in the state, we lead the effort to transform health care, helping ensure Washington residents have access to better health and better care at a lower cost.
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