A few things of note about hepatitis C (HCV) came out in the news this week, some with global impact and some to connect people on the ground providing care.
World Drug Report Released
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime released the World Drug Report 2017 on June 22. Both HIV and hepatitis C are noted, but hepatitis C takes the lead for concern. A backgrounder on the report notes:
“Hepatitis C is causing the greatest harm among the estimated 12 million people who inject drugs worldwide. More than half (6.1 million) are living with hepatitis C… [and] despite recent advances in the treatment of hepatitis C, access remains poor, as treatment remains very expensive in most countries.”
Read the Background to the report
Read the World Drug Report 2017
Confusing People About Benefits of HCV Treatment
A review of the benefits of HCV treatment has caused swift reaction from advocates and doctors. The review gives the impression that HCV treatment doesn’t extend life, yet it wasn’t designed to follow people long term. Keith Alcorn over at AIDS Map begins his about these limits:
“A systematic review of hepatitis C direct-acting antiviral (DAA) studies published by the Cochrane Collaboration has been strongly criticised by doctors and advocates for its conclusion that there is no evidence that the expensive drugs prolong life or reduce liver-related disease in people who achieve a sustained virologic response to treatment – a cure, in current understanding.”
Alcorn notes the time limit of the review, as does a doctor’s piece in The Guardian. His piece speaks plainly of his worry of how people with HCV might interpret the information (emphasis mine):
“The Cochrane review that you highlight analysed clinical trials, which are by nature short term, where the sole purpose was to evaluate the virological efficacy of new antiviral drugs. The trials were neither designed, nor powered, to assess mortality, so it is hardly surprising that the Cochrane review was unable to identify any impact on mortality.”
The take home here is you have to always note the length of time a study is set up for. The lack of long-term surveillance in this case can give the wrong impression to people who could benefit from treatment.
Webinar: Supporting People with HCV: Learn About Help 4 Hep BC
PAN is excited to be launching our KnowledgeConnect webinar series. Learn more about Help 4 Hep BC, a new peer-to-peer program for people living with HCV. PAN is hosting a webinar on Wednesday June 28, 10 AM – 11 AM (PT). Deb and Daryl from Pacific Hepatitis C Network will be on hand to walk attendees through the service and answer any questions. Free, but registration is required.
Questions? Feedback? Get in touch!
Janet Madsen, Capacity Building and Knowledge Translation Coordinator, [email protected]