underscores the accelerating creep of ACA influence on drug pricing. Would it be politically incorrect to suggest that Gilead's lead drugs are more heavily utilized in the lower end of the socioeconomic strata and therefore will be impacted faster than other pharmas? Regardless, the writing is on the wall in bold should ACA not be repealed following the coming election. Big Government is anathema to everything private sector and the entrepreneurial spirit that it inspires.
Quote from Gilead Q1 earnings call transcript:
"Sequentially, HCV product sales decreased 12%, primarily driven by revenue declines in the US and Japan. In the US, the decline was due to the increase in discounts required to open up access to patients with lower fibrosis scores and a modest shift in payer mix toward more deeply discounted government payer segments. In addition, revenue was further impacted by higher-than-expected prior-quarter rebate claims. Rebate claims come in one to two quarters in arrears and were updated in Q1 to reflect the higher claims received.