“The B.C. government will now allow anyone living with chronic hepatitis C to access treatment, even in its early stages. “What we hope, of course, is from a health cost perspective that it avoids more serious illness later on,” said B.C. health minister Adrian Dix.”
Hepatitis C Treatment Ruling Adds to State Prison Health Tab
“The state may have to pay millions of dollars more in treatment costs for inmates infected with hepatitis C, following a federal judge’s ruling that said prison officials have been “deliberately indifferent” in caring for thousands of inmates infected with the virus.”
Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis C
“Treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) in pregnant women can potentially eliminate maternal HCV during prenatal care and reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission. Previous research shows how plasma levels of sofosbuvir (SOF), a medication in HCV treatment, were 38% higher in pregnant women, while levels of its inactive metabolite (007) were 38% lower than in non-pregnant individuals. Inside cells, SOF is transformed into its active metabolite, 007-triphosphate (007-TP), serving as a measure of drug activation in various tissues and as a marker of medication adherence.”
