“The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), the world’s largest HIV research network, is announcing the publication of “Perspectives on Adherence from the ACTG 5360 MINMON Trial: A Minimum Monitoring Approach with 12 Weeks of Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir in Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment” in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. This publication found that self-reported 100 percent adherence in the first four weeks of hepatitis C treatment with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir was associated with sustained virologic response (which is when no hepatitis C virus is found in the blood 12 weeks after completing treatment). Sustained virologic response is the generally accepted criteria for an individual to be considered “cured” of hepatitis C. These findings suggest that early self-reported adherence could be used to identify individuals who may be more likely to experience treatment failure and may benefit from additional support.”
Ten Key Recommendations to Expand Hepatitis C Care in Prisons
“All around the world, people in prisons are at high risk for contracting the hepatitis C virus (HCV). But for most, screening, testing and curative treatment are unavailable or inaccessible. Awareness is rising: In recent months, global headlines—including stories in the Guardian, the New York Times, Dawn and Stat—have highlighted this alarming situation and urgent need. The public interest is welcome, if overdue, to those of us working to reduce the harms.”
Arizona plans to dramatically increase hepatitis C testing and treatment in prisons
“WASHINGTON — The Arizona Department of Corrections is promising a federal judge that it will dramatically increase the number of incarcerated people it tests and treats for hepatitis C.”
Data Suggest AT-527 May Improve Treatment of Patients with COVID-19, Hepatitis C
“Atea Pharmaceuticals, Inc. presented phase 1 in vitro and in vivo data on AT-527 (bemnifosbuvir, an investigational, oral, direct-acting antiviral for the treatment for COVID-19 and hepatitis C virus (HCV), at the 36th International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR 2023) in Lyon, France, held March 13 to 17, 2023.”
COUNTY OFFICIALS DISCUSS HARM REDUCTION AS A PATH FORWARD THROUGH THE OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC
“In 2021, over 100,000 people died from drug overdose – more than any year in American history. At NACo’s 2023 Legislative Conference, county officials discussed harm reduction as a path forward through the opioid epidemic. Harm reduction is both a large scale and individual approach to serving people with substance use disorder (SUD) that aims to minimize negative health outcomes for people who are underserved by the formal treatment system.”
Racial Disparity in HCV Demographics and Treatment Between Interferon Era (2002–2003) and Direct Acting Anti-viral Era (2019)
“Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment increased the sustained viral response (SVR) rate of patients with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and eliminated response disparities between African American (AA) and non-AA patients seen with interferon (IFN). The aim of this study was to compare 2019 HCV patients (DAA era) to patients from January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2003 (IFN era) in our predominantly AA clinic population.”
Groups Around the World Work to Eliminate Hepatitis C by Meeting People Where They Are
“Every Friday for more than two years, a community church in North Wales, U.K., would transform into a one-stop shop of social services for people experiencing homelessness. Everything from housing to haircuts, mental health services and foot care by local podiatrists were offered to at least 70 people who showed up specifically for these services each week.”
Letter: 340B Drug Pricing Program in need of reform
“Louisianans with hepatitis C are more likely to face barriers to health care, making patient access to care a priority for organizations like mine that provide education, awareness, and support for patients living with chronic diseases.”
Controlling HCV: ‘The time for political action is here’
“In 2015, WHO initiated a campaign to eliminate hepatitis B and C worldwide. Why did WHO target these infections? Viral hepatitis and its consequences represent the 7th leading cause of global deaths — more than 1.5 million in 2015 — with 95% due to hepatitis B and C. This exceeds deaths from malaria, HIV and tuberculosis and is the only one in which the death rate is increasing.”
