Hepatitis C, a global issue: access to care and new therapeutic and preventive approaches in resource-constrained areas.
With the advent of all oral direct-acting antiviral drugs with a broad range of genotypic activity and a low incidence of side effects, we are entering an exciting new era in the therapeutics of hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, it is not yet clear who will benefit from these innovations: Will the advantages be limited to HCV patients in industrialized nations or could the whole community of HCV-infected individuals be given access to treatment? As the majority of people infected with HCV live in resource-limited settings it is important to overcome the barriers that restrict access to treatment in these areas. Drug costs, public and professional education, simplified diagnostics, and political imperative all need to be addressed before the majority of HCV-infected individuals can benefit from the new generation of HCV antivirals.
Hepatology & Gastroenterology Section, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom.
Maud
M
Lemoine
Hepatology & Gastroenterology Section, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom.
Mark
M
Thursz
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics; D016527:Drug Costs; D014943:Global Health / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006291:Health Policy; D006295:Health Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents