How a Government’s Operationalization of the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights Agreement Influences Drug Pricing – A Case Study on Hepatitis C Prescription Drugs in Public Health Systems in the United States of America and Egypt

With the presence of Sofosbuvir as a cure for the Hepatitis C virus, a government’s ability to afford to purchase the miracle drug for its citizens has become a contested topic in different countries. One influencing factor influencing the price of hepatitis C treatments in each country is a country’s application of intellectual property rights and their subcategory, patents for pharmaceutical products. This qualitative study investigates the influence of intellectual property laws in Egypt and The United States of America on Gilead’s pricing of Sofosbuvir in both countries. Data collecting methods include a literature review of existing white and grey literature and interviews of relevant stakeholders in Egypt and the United States. Findings indicate that each country’s practical implementation of patent granting laws from the TRIPS agreement influenced prices for Sofosbuvir. This consequently influenced the public health system’s ability to provide hepatitis C treatment to affected groups in both countries. This research concludes that it is important to reassess drug pricing under each country’s patent granting laws and how such pricing influences the affordability of treatment in respective countries. There are successful examples of governments’ efforts in providing Sofosbuvir as a life-saving treatment. However, there is a need for a more in-depth, long-term change in the structure of granting patents in countries facing high treatment costs due to its patent laws.