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Availability of hepatitis C diagnostics and therapeutics in European and Eurasia countries.
- Source :
-
Antiviral research [Antiviral Res] 2018 Feb; Vol. 150, pp. 9-14. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Dec 05. - Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Background: Treatment with direct acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has provided sustained virological response rates in >95% of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However treatment is costly and market access, reimbursement and governmental restrictions differ among countries. We aimed to analyze these differences among European and Eurasian countries.<br />Methods: A survey including 20-item questionnaire was sent to experts in viral hepatitis. Countries were evaluated according to their income categories by the World Bank stratification.<br />Results: Experts from 26 countries responded to the survey. As of May 2016, HCV prevalence was reported as low (≤1%) in Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK; intermediate (1-4%) in Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Kosovo, Greece, Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Serbia and high in Georgia (6.7%). All countries had national guidelines except Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Tunisia, and UK. Transient elastography was available in all countries, but reimbursed in 61%. HCV-RNA was reimbursed in 81%. PegIFN/RBV was reimbursed in 54% of the countries. No DAAs were available in four countries: Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Serbia, and Tunisia. In others, at least one DAA combination with either PegIFN/RBV or another DAA was available. In Germany and the Netherlands all DAAs were reimbursed without restrictions: Sofosbuvir and sofosbuvir/ledipasvir were free of charge in Georgia.<br />Conclusion: Prevalence of HCV is relatively higher in lower-middle and upper-middle income countries. DAAs are not available or reimbursed in many Eurasia and European countries. Effective screening and access to care are essential for reducing liver-related morbidity and mortality.<br /> (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1872-9096
- Volume :
- 150
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Antiviral research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 29217468
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.12.001