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A year ago, Quebec announced a plan to roll out public access to new Hepatitis C therapies, prioritizing those with the most advanced disease, and laying out a sound plan to eventually offer treatment to all patients. Since then, I and my colleagues have seen many of our patients cured of a disease they had suffered with for decades. Some had previously undergone long and difficult treatments with older toxic therapies and, now, within a few short weeks have been cured. Cure, which was unimaginable only a decade ago, is now not only possible, but expected.
With May being Hepatitis Awareness Month, I would like to reflect on the innovative research that has brought us here, recognize public and private drug plans that have invested in the value of new therapies, and motivate patients to seek a cure and share their incredible stories.
I also dare, for the first time, to envision a future without Hepatitis C.
Since 2013, when Health Canada approved new breakthrough therapies such as Sovaldi, we have seen an explosion of new all-oral medications that eliminated the need for interferon while offering cure rates of more than 90 per cent in just eight to 12 weeks. These include Harvoni, Holkira Pak, and Zepatier, which are safe, effective and well tolerated.