Hepatitis C drug market in Mexico expected to double to $104 million in 2015

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) market in Mexico will nearly double from $56 million in 2010 to $104 million in 2015. According to advisory firm Decision Resources’ new Emerging Markets report, hepatitis C Virus in Mexico, an increase in the size of the prevalent HCV population in Mexico and the launch of new HCV-specific protease inhibitors will contribute to market growth.

The first two HCV-specific protease inhibitors, Merck & Co and Roche’s Victrelis (boceprevir), and Vertex’ Incivek (telaprevir) will launch during the forecast period, with Victrelis expected to launch in Mexico by the end of 2012 and Incivek by 2013. Combined sales for newly launched protease inhibitors in Mexico are expected to exceed $11 million in 2015, accounting for at least 11% of the Mexican market for HCV therapies, the report notes.

“Mexican physicians are eager to begin treating genotype 1-infected HCV patients with these new agents, but the high expected cost of both Incivek and Victrelis will likely limit their use to patients who have not responded to previous therapy,” said Decision Resources analyst Seamus Levine-Wilkinson, warning, however, that “use of these new protease inhibitors may be limited to patients with private insurance or those who have the ability to pay out-of-pocket.”