Need of righteous attitudes towards eradication of hepatitis C virus infection in Latin America.
Over the last few years, we have expanded our knowledge on numerous facets of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Beginning with its discovery and viral life cycle, its impact on health, the development of liver disease and currently, effective antiviral treatments. The latter point has become of great interest throughout the developed world, where the possible eradication of HCV through specific strategies to reach all HCV-infected people has been announced. However, this scenario is very different in the countries of Latin America (LA), in which < 2% of infected patients requiring treatment have access to HCV medications. It has been estimated that at least ten million Latin Americans may be infected with HCV. Despite the numbers, viral hepatitis does not seem to be considered a health problem in this region of the world. This reality poses a challenge for politicians and governments of these countries, as well as to the pharmaceutical industry, the medical practitioners, and academics in LA. In this editorial, we state the need for alterations in the attitudes of the integral players involved in this situation. A recognition shift could help to create preventive strategies of viral hepatitis and to advocate for accessibility to new HCV treatments.
Arturo Panduro, Sonia Roman, Department of Molecular Biology in Medicine, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, "Fray Antonio Alcalde", Guadalajara, 44280 Jalisco, Mexico.
Arturo
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Panduro
Arturo Panduro, Sonia Roman, Department of Molecular Biology in Medicine, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, "Fray Antonio Alcalde", Guadalajara, 44280 Jalisco, Mexico.
Sonia
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Roman
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D004345:Drug Industry; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011634:Public Health; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships
D000998:Antiviral Agents
Antiviral agents; Drug industry; Low-income; Medical societies; Public health