This page is an archive. Its content may no longer be accurate and was last updated on the original publication date. It is intended for reference and as a historical record only. For hep C questions, call Help4Hep BC at 1-888-411-7578.
Friday, December 30, 2016
News Recap
All in all this year has been quite mixed for people suffering from hepatitis C in Canada! For those infected via tainted blood in the pre86 – post 90 group there was disappointing news. The fund is out of money and the federal government isn’t being compassionate at all! In fact if you are mono-infected and not an active drug user in Canada and you are in the working class there is very little help out there for you. Again, we remind you that, if you have been turned down for treatment because of your fibrosis score, or you have been denied PharmaCare assistance for treatment but have instead been asked to cough up somewhere between $20K and $35K for treatment in Canada, there are options via the FixHepC clinical trials where you can be cured via certified generics for around $2000 CDN. Please contact us at info@hepcbc.bchep.org for more info on this.
For those in Canada who are active drug users and/or HIV-HCV coinfected many new programs are being funded federally and provincially. Both the Victoria Persons with AIDS Society and the Pacific Hepatitis C Network have received funding for community outreach programs.
The Good news is that THERE IS A CURE!!! and it is becoming more and more accessible – although way too slowly for my liking. Many people we know who have been cured are feeling the difference. The aches and pains and brain fog are disappearing. Unfortunately, many people we know are also progressing to Stage 4 liver disease and some to liver cancer. Treatment for them is too late!! It might get rid of the virus but it CAN’T UNDO THE DAMAGE!!
HepCBC continues to be there educating the public about the realities of viral hepatitis and trying to get the federal and provincial governments to change their positions on access to treatment (fibrosis score, pricing) FOR ALL CANADIANS! It is a long and exhausting fight. Please continue to support us as we support you.
