Victrelis is important to Merck as much for reasons of sentiment as for its impact on earnings.

FORBES: Merck Wins Victory Over Skeptics With Hepatitis C Approval

Many analysts had predicted a delay for Victrelis, or that the FDA would saddle it with onerous marketing restrictions.

FORBES: Merck Wins Victory Over Skeptics With Hepatitis C Approval

The label for Victrelis says to give patients one month of interferon and ribavirin first, then start the drug.

FORBES: Vertex's Biggest Advantage

One month after launch, 36 percent of the docs were satisfied with Victrelis and this rose to 48 percent after three months.

FORBES: The Hepatitis C Wars: What Docs Say About The Newest Meds

Wall Street expects Incivek to be the big winner, not Victrelis.

FORBES: Merck Wins Victory Over Skeptics With Hepatitis C Approval

While Incivek beat Victrelis on higher SVR, shorter duration and simpler protocol, the perception of superior efficacy was countered by concerns with rash, according to Bio Trends.

FORBES: The Hepatitis C Wars: What Docs Say About The Newest Meds

Not everyone on Wall Street is a Victrelis doubter.

FORBES: Merck Wins Victory Over Skeptics With Hepatitis C Approval

Meanwhile, we thought it might be interesting to provide a different sort of look at how Incivek is faring along with its equally new rival, Victrelis, which is sold by Merck and Roche.

FORBES: The Hepatitis C Wars: What Docs Say About The Newest Meds