Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for hepatitis C in adults and some children. The medication comes in two oral forms: tablets and pellets. The cost of Harvoni with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as whether the drug has a savings program.
Harvoni belongs to a drug class called direct-acting antivirals. Harvoni is available in a generic version.
Read on to learn about Harvoni and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions. If you’d like other information about Harvoni, refer to this article.
As with all medications, the cost of Harvoni can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Harvoni has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Harvoni will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Harvoni. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Harvoni in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization, but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Harvoni requires prior authorization.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Harvoni.
How does the cost of Harvoni compare with other similar drugs, such as Epclusa or Sovaldi?
The cost of Harvoni, Epclusa, and Sovaldi and what you’ll pay for them depends on several factors. These include your insurance coverage and specific prescription drug plan. It also depends on the pharmacy you use and whether the drug has a savings program. To learn about Harvoni savings options, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below.
Harvoni, Epclusa, and Sovaldi are medications that treat hepatitis C.
To determine how the costs of these medications compare, contact your insurance plan provider. Your pharmacist can also help you with cost information. If you want to know which drug is right for your condition, talk with your doctor.
Does the 90 mg/400 mg strength of Harvoni cost less than the drug’s other strengths?
The cost of the 90 milligrams (mg) ledipasvir/400 mg sofosbuvir (90 mg/400 mg) strength compared to Harvoni’s other strengths depends on certain factors. These include:
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Harvoni has a savings program
If you have insurance, ask your plan provider what each strength costs. To learn about the different forms and strengths of Harvoni, see this article.
If you don’t have insurance, ask your pharmacist for the “cash price” of different Harvoni strengths. Savings programs for Harvoni can also affect the price you’ll pay. For details about Harvoni savings programs, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below.
In addition, the 90 mg/400 mg strength of Harvoni oral tablet is available as the generic drug ledipasvir/sofosbuvir. Generic drugs tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. So the generic 90 mg ledipasvir/400 mg sofosbuvir tablets may cost less than the brand-name Harvoni tablets. To learn more, see the “Brand-name vs. generic drugs” section just below.
If you have questions about your Harvoni treatment plan, talk with your doctor.
Harvoni contains two active ingredients: ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. Some forms of Harvoni are available as the generic drug ledipasvir/sofosbuvir. Specifically, the 90 milligrams (mg) ledipasvir/400 mg sofosbuvir (90 mg/400 mg) strength of Harvoni oral tablet is available in a generic version. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
If your doctor has prescribed Harvoni 90 mg/400 mg tablets and you’re interested in taking ledipasvir/sofosbuvir instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a reason for preferring one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may cover only one or the other.
To find out how the cost of this generic drug compares with the cost of Harvoni, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
If you need financial support to pay for Harvoni or help to understand your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A program called Support Path is available for Harvoni. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 855-769-7284 or visit the program website.
- Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Harvoni, you may still have some questions. It may be helpful to talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Harvoni. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Harvoni.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare prescription drug plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- More details. For details about other aspects of Harvoni, refer to this article.
- Drug comparison. Find out how Harvoni compares with other drugs, including Epclusa.
- Information about your condition. Learn more about the condition that Harvoni treats in this article.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.