Two new, often curative, hepatitis C drugs are now provided under British Columbia’s public drug plan coverage, Minister of Health Terry Lake announced on Monday, March 23, 2015.
People with hepatitis C will be able to apply tomorrow for coverage under B.C.’s PharmaCare program of Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) and Harvoni (ledipasvir and sofosbuvir). These new medications cure about 90% or more of people treated; are easier to take; involve a much shorter course of treatment; and have fewer side effects than older drugs.
Read the full press release here.
Pacific Hepatitis C Network welcomed the news. “We are thrilled that these new therapies are now available to eligible patients,” says Daryl Luster, President of PHCN. “As a network and voice for those living with hepatitis C in British Columbia, these new treatments are a huge leap forward and will greatly change the outcome for those living with, and affected by, hep C.”
Read Pacific Hepatitis C Network’s press release in response to the announcement here.