The antiviral drugs used were bought by the NHS in 2018 to be given to thousands of adult patients – Since then hepatitis C deaths have fallen by 35%
London, Thanasis Gavos
More than 200 children in England have been cured of hepatitis C as part of a world-first mass antiviral drug treatment program by the NHS.
The antiviral drugs used were bought by the NHS in 2018 to be given to thousands of adult patients at a cost of £1 billion. Since then deaths from hepatitis C have decreased by 35%.
The program was also extended to minor patients, as young as three years old. Each of the treated children received the prescribed pills once a day for eight or twelve weeks.
Their treatment is confirmed by two negative blood tests.
NHS England medical director Professor Stephen Powis said the milestone of treating 200 children was an “impressive achievement”.
The leaders of the public health sector in England believe that with this treatment, the elimination of the virus that affects the liver can be achieved by 2025 in England and that, if not treated, can cause a more severe disease, such as liver cancer.
The rise in hepatitis C cases in recent years around the world has led to the intervention of the World Health Organization, which has mandated all countries to eliminate the disease by 2030.
Until recently, hepatitis C was considered incurable. It is now relatively quickly cured, but the drugs are still expensive. The English program was based on the decision to identify and administer the treatment to every single patient in the country.
Source :Skai
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