SUFFERERS of hepatitis C in Bolton may soon have access to an alternative treatment to interferon injections.
NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) has recommended that oral drug Harvoni (or ledipasvir-sofosbuvir) should be funded by the NHS to treat some adult patients with chronic hepatitis C in England and Wales.
Hepatitis C is a virus that can infect the liver. You can become infected with it if you come into contact with the blood of an infected person.
The ways it can be spread include sharing unsterilised needles — such as through recreational drug use or tattoo needles like how former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson famously contracted it — sharing razors or toothbrushes, from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby and through unprotected sex – although this is very rare.
In Bolton there are more than 2,000 people estimated to be living with the virus. Left untreated, it can lead to a significant impact on individual patients, the NHS as well as increasing economic and societal costs.
Dr Colin Mercer, clinical director of clinical governance and safety at NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, says although the approval is a positive step, it will not routinely be available for all patients.
He said: "The approval by NICE of this new medicine is a promising development for some sufferers of Hepatitis C.
"Harvoni is not effective for all patients with this infection and like many new medicines, it will not be routinely available to all - patients should discuss this treatment option with their specialist, who can give advice on suitability and provide support.
"Hepatitis C is treated by making lifestyle changes and taking a combination of two or three prescribed medicines, which are already in widespread use."
According to the NHS, there are six main strains of the virus. In the UK, the most common strains are known as "genotype 1" and "genotype 3".
NICE's decision to approve Harvoni — a once daily single tablet — means that this treatment will be funded by the NHS for the "majority" of hepatitis C patients with genotype 1 and 4 infection, ultimately making it possible for more patients to be given the chance to be cleared of the virus.
Charles Gore, chief executive at the Hepatitis C Trust, says that while this is positive news, more needs to be done to get patients to talk openly about their condition to their GP.
Charles Gore, chief executive at the Hepatitis C Trust said: "New treatments offer the opportunity for people to be freed from the risk of liver cancer and the debilitating symptoms connected with hepatitis C.
"This is an important milestone in the long journey for broad access to the latest medicines for people with hepatitis C. However, this good news means little if people who are living with hepatitis C in England and Wales do not come forward and discuss their treatment options with their doctor."
To find out more about the approval, visit http://bit.ly/1ANzTLc.
For advice about living with the virus, visit hepctrust.org.uk.
WHAT IS HEPATITIS C?
Hepatitis C is a virus that can infect the liver
It can be spread by sharing razors or toothbrushes, from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby, unprotected sex and unsterilised needles
Symptoms include muscle aches and a high temperature, feeling tired all the time, loss of appetite, tummy pain feeling and being sick
It can be treated with a combination of medicines that stop the virus multiplying inside the body
If left untreated, some people will develop scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) which over time can cause the liver to stop working properly
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