[...] flush from the unprecedented debut of its blockbuster hepatitis C drug, Gilead Sciences watched its stock continue to rise Wednesday, even as a top payer remained opposed to Sovaldi's price. [...] Sovaldi's record-breaking performance in the first quarter seems to be quelling investors' fears, but a major pharmacy benefit manager continued to insist that the cost will break the health care system. The payers we represent have let us know that they are willing to move significant market share to clinically equivalent, more affordable alternatives as the therapy class becomes more competitive in the near future.