Charles Gore, chief executive of the Hepatitis C Trust, recently commented that eradication of hepatitis C (HCV) in the UK is a realistic goal. However, only half of those infected know they have it and deaths from HCV continue to rise. With only 3% of the chronically infected population accessing treatment each year, efforts to tackle the disease must improve. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.
Despite efforts to control hepatitis C (HCV), it remains one of the most prevalent diseases globally – with up to 150 million patients living with chronic infection, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO reports that 350,000 to 500,000 deaths each year are caused by liver diseases related to HCV.1 The level of infection varies widely from country to country – in Egypt, for example, prevalence is as high as 15%, while in the UK the rate is believed to be around 0.5%,2 with around 214,000 individuals estimated to be chronically infected.3
The Hepatitis C Trust has previously described the UK as one of the worst countries in Europe at dealing with the deadly HCV virus – with only 1%-2% of those infected identified and treated with NICE approved drugs, which can cure between 40%-80% of those with moderate to severe HCV.4
Although some progress has been achieved, since the publication the Hepatitis C Trust’s report, The UK vs. Europe: Losing the Fight Against Hepatitis C,4 there is still a long way to go, to improve diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Indeed, the latest figures from Public Health England (PHE) show that hospital admissions, liver transplants and deaths from HCV have all risen in the UK.
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