New cure for Hepatitis C with $84000 price tag

Hepatitis C is one of the deadliest virus infections in the world, damaging liver and affecting more than 150 million people. The good news is a recently developed cure could save thousands of lives.
There is a catch, however. The drug marketed in the US, patients will be required to pay $84,000 for a 12-week treatment, which may limit the cure to only those who can afford it.
Without treatment, hepatitis C can induce chronic fatigue and fever, and eventually lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer or even death.
In the past, a patient with advanced hepatitis C would have had to endure long-term treatments with intense side effects. In some cases, a liver transplant would be necessary, costing  a huge amount of money.
Sovaldi, the new oral hepatitis C cure produced by pharma giant Gilead, is much simpler and easier to administer than previous treatments, leading many to call it a wonder drug.
But many critics question why a drug as important as Sovaldi should have such a high price, however, raising questions on the ethics of pharmaceutical pricing. If Sovaldi can easily save lives, should its price remain low in order to have the greatest reach?

Source: BBC Health