What Does Gilead Need? Stable HCV Scripts and “a String of Pearls”

Good news for Gilead ( GILD ): Demand for hepatitis C drugs remains strong. The bad news, however, is that data suggests that coverage denial by insurers is on the rise even though costs have fallen. But RBC analyst Michael Yee says that based on discussions with Gilead’s management, it could take a few quarters before it become clear whether prescription trends are stabilizing or continuing to fall, and at what clip. And it will take more than a “flattening” for Gilead’s share price to start climbing higher.