Background: Development of pangenotypic drugs with high clinical efficacy for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has changed disease’ management. This has encouraged governments to make centralized purchases of these drugs. The impact of centralized purchases is not known, and our aim is to evaluate the economic outcomes of centralized purchase of sofosbuvir/velpatastir for the Colombian health system.

Methods: Direct medical costs adjusted for disease states, complications, and adverse events, were calculated. A bottom-up approach which included medications, outpatient follow-up, diagnostic images, and laboratory tests was used to estimate direct medical costs. Prices were taken from national tariff manuals for medicines and health activities and procedures. Indirect medical costs due to work disabilities or premature retirement were calculated.

Results: In Colombia there are approximately 554,000 patients with HCV. Centralized purchase of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir at PAHO prices resulted in savings of $ 20,816 per patient. The weighted average healthcare cost for a patient with HCV is $ 3,106, the fifth year is $ 6,946, the tenth year is $ 12,363, and the twentieth year is $ 21,482. This increase in healthcare costs over time is mainly driven by costs derived by liver transplantation, and the loss of productivity. However, treatment with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir generates a saving of $ 20,816 per patient.

Conclusion: Treatment with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir in patients with HCV Colombia and generates a saving of $ 20,816 per patient for Colombia's healthcare system. The benefit of treatment with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir is a reduction in liver transplants and a reduction in productivity.