Hepatitis C Virus: Insights Into Its History, Treatment, Challenges, and Future Directions
“Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global public health concern with significant impacts. It primarily spreads through blood-to-blood contact, such as sharing needles among drug users. Given the wide prevalence of risk factors, HCV continues to pose a major threat. Hence, it is crucial to understand its characteristics, structure, and genotypes to prevent, treat, and potentially eradicate it.”
U.S Pharmaceutical Company To Stop Supplying Russia With Popular Hepatitis Drug
“Russian health-care watchdog Roszdravnadzor told the daily Kommersant on August 22 that U.S pharmaceutical company MSD (Merck Corporation) will stop supplying Russia with the popular Zepatier hepatitis C medicine after its planned deliveries end in late 2024. After Russian launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, MSD stopped supplying Russia with Raltegravir, a medicine to decrease the chances that HIV-infected people will develop AIDS.”
ACOG guideline addresses hepatitis in pregnancy
“In a clinical practice guideline issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and published online Aug. 17 in Obstetrics & Gynecology, recommendations are presented for hepatitis B and C virus screening in pregnancy, for management of patients with infection, and for vaccination.”
Only 1 in 5 U.S. Adults With Opioid Use Disorder Received Medications to Treat it in 2021
“In 2021, an estimated 2.5 million people aged 18 years or older in the U.S. had opioid use disorder in the past year, yet only 1 in 5 of them (22%) received medications to treat it, according to a new study. Some groups were substantially less likely to receive medication for opioid use disorder, including Black adults, women, those who were unemployed, and those in nonmetropolitan areas.”
Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Report Low Life Satisfaction
“More than half of patients with hepatitis C in a recent study expressed a low level of life satisfaction, especially among younger participants with a low self-assessment of their health. Results of the study, which included 220 patients with hepatitis C from 7 centers in Poland, suggests 62.7% of surveyed patients reported a low level of life satisfaction, with just 8.7% reporting a high level of life satisfaction.”
