Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnla...ue-to-hepatitis-c-infections/?sh=418b8de8644a
Jul 12, 2021,04:00pm EDT|631 views
Another Covid-19 Calamity – More Deaths Due To Hepatitis C Infections
John LaMattina
...Well, the federal debt wasn’t overwhelmed by the cost of curing hepatitis C. In fact, thanks to competition resulting from multiple drugs being launched, within a year, the prices for these drugs in the U.S. dropped to less than $50,000 – cheaper than what was being paid in the U.K. and Germany whose governments negotiate prices directly with manufacturers for drugs. As a result, outrage over the cost of hepatitis C curing drugs largely evaporated. More noteworthy was that the World Health Organization began developing guidelines to eradicate hepatitis C by 2030 thanks to the availability of these drugs.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic has made such an achievement unlikely in the U.S. From 2014 to 2019, about 1.2 million Americans were treated for hepatitis C leading to a reduction of over 65% of liver-related deaths in 2019 compared to 2014. However, the impact of the pandemic has resulted in fewer diagnoses of hepatitis C (as has happened with other diseases) and fewer people being treated. Momentum for wiping out hepatitis C has slowed. But, the importance of getting back to rigorously testing for and treating hepatitis C is clear. If brought back to pre-pandemic levels, 9,500 – 24,900 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma could be averted over the next eight years.
When the hepatitis C drugs were first manufactured, all of the concerns expressed focused on cost. It has taken a while, but now discussions are centered on the elimination of this insidious virus thereby saving tens of thousands of lives and, in the process, reducing overall healthcare costs. All of that was lost in the initial discussions of these unprecedented medications. But, as often happens with breakthrough drugs, their value to patients ultimately wins out...
Jul 12, 2021,04:00pm EDT|631 views
Another Covid-19 Calamity – More Deaths Due To Hepatitis C Infections
John LaMattina
...Well, the federal debt wasn’t overwhelmed by the cost of curing hepatitis C. In fact, thanks to competition resulting from multiple drugs being launched, within a year, the prices for these drugs in the U.S. dropped to less than $50,000 – cheaper than what was being paid in the U.K. and Germany whose governments negotiate prices directly with manufacturers for drugs. As a result, outrage over the cost of hepatitis C curing drugs largely evaporated. More noteworthy was that the World Health Organization began developing guidelines to eradicate hepatitis C by 2030 thanks to the availability of these drugs.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic has made such an achievement unlikely in the U.S. From 2014 to 2019, about 1.2 million Americans were treated for hepatitis C leading to a reduction of over 65% of liver-related deaths in 2019 compared to 2014. However, the impact of the pandemic has resulted in fewer diagnoses of hepatitis C (as has happened with other diseases) and fewer people being treated. Momentum for wiping out hepatitis C has slowed. But, the importance of getting back to rigorously testing for and treating hepatitis C is clear. If brought back to pre-pandemic levels, 9,500 – 24,900 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma could be averted over the next eight years.
When the hepatitis C drugs were first manufactured, all of the concerns expressed focused on cost. It has taken a while, but now discussions are centered on the elimination of this insidious virus thereby saving tens of thousands of lives and, in the process, reducing overall healthcare costs. All of that was lost in the initial discussions of these unprecedented medications. But, as often happens with breakthrough drugs, their value to patients ultimately wins out...