France has negotiated a big discount for Gilead Sciences Inc's controversial new hepatitis C drug Sovaldi, under a government deal that ensures it will be fully reimbursable by health-funding schemes.

The Economic  Committee for Health Products (CEPS) has fixed the price of a box of Sovaldi at 13,667 euros before tax, a reduction of 5,000 euros on the original price and "the lowest price in Europe", the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

Twelve weeks of treatment will now cost 41,000 euros ($51,373) before tax, against 56,000 euros previously.

In the United States, where Sovaldi's high price has sparked controversy and pushed up insurance companies' costs, a 12-week course costs $84,000, or $1,000 per pill.

For more details, go to: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/20/health-hepatitis-gilead-solvadi-idUSL6N0TA2TA20141120