Investment Immigration to the UK focus on UK Life: According to a report on The Guardian website on April 16, the UK's National Health Service (NHS) will pay for new drug treatment for 500 patients with end-stage Hepatitis C without waiting for guidance from advisory groups.
This new drug is called Sofosbuvir. Relevant studies indicate that the drug is effective for 90% of Hepatitis C patients and has caused a significant stir in the medical community. However, the list price of this new drug is extremely high, costing £34,983 for a 12-week course of treatment for one patient.
There are approximately 216,000 people infected with Hepatitis C in the UK, which has led to a large number of people suffering from cirrhosis or liver cancer. The 500 patients receiving this new drug treatment are all in critical condition; they are either terminally ill or awaiting a liver transplant. Currently, the new drug treatment will not be used for all patients.
The NHS announced that it expects to spend £18.7 million on this new drug treatment. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) plans to evaluate the new drug this year, but due to the critical condition of so many Hepatitis C patients, the government has decided to take swift action.
The Hepatitis C Trust has warned that if action is not taken immediately, many people will lose their lives. The trust's chief executive, Charles Gore, had previously complained about the government's delay in allowing patients to try the new drug.
The Hepatitis C Trust subsequently stated that it was pleased to hear this decision from the NHS.
Gore said that this new drug is not only an excellent opportunity to reverse the high mortality rate of Hepatitis C, but it also has the potential to eradicate this public health threat from history.
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that can be transmitted among drug users and can be spread through contaminated needles. Before 1991, many people were infected with Hepatitis C through blood transfusions. Many others were infected through tattoo needles and body piercings.
The NHS hopes that NICE can find a cheaper drug to save costs.
Patients with chronic hepatitis require continuous medication support from the NHS, while the cost for patients requiring a liver transplant exceeds £50,000.
This campaign is already underway. For developing countries, Hepatitis C is also a major concern. This battle is as difficult as finding affordable HIV medication for impoverished nations.
