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La. Health Dept. Chief Wants Drug Co's. To Lower Costs on Hep C Meds

HIGH COST OF HEP C:  You’ve probably seen the TV commercials touting  treatment for Hepatitis C,  a virus that infects the liver.  And while newer drugs offer faster cures  for Hep C,  the costs can be staggering costing  as much  as  $20,000 or more per patient.   Louisiana's Department of  Health  Secretary  Rebekah Gee is clashing with the pharmaceutical industry over the high costs of  Hepatitis C drugs  Gee told the Baton Rouge Press Club meeting yesterday,  that the drugs are so expensive many infected people in the state go without treatment.  Gee explained she  is exploring use  of a little-known,  1910 federal patent  law to try  to force down  prices and that  the drug companies can still make money but  not at the  expense of those suffering from  Hep C  who can't  afford the high cost of treatment.  

Rebekah Gee, MD / Secretary of La. Dept of Health
Credit Courtesy: Baton Rouge Press Club
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Courtesy: Baton Rouge Press Club
Rebekah Gee, MD / Secretary of La. Dept of Health
Credit Courtesy: La. Dept. of Health
/
Courtesy: La. Dept. of Health

Louisiana's Department of Health Secretary Rebekah Gee is clashing with the pharmaceutical industry over the high costs of Hepatitis C drugs Gee told the Baton Rouge Press Club meeting yesterday, that the drugs are so expensive many infected people in the state go without treatment.

Copyright 2017 Red River Radio

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' experience to Red River Radio having started out as a radio news reporter and moving into television journalism as a newsmagazine producer / host, talk-show moderator, programming director and managing producer and news director / anchor for commercial, public broadcasting and educational television. He has more recently worked in advertising, marketing and public relations as a writer, video producer and media consultant. In pursuit of higher learning, Chuck studied Mass Communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.