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.
A Hep C treatment option for ALL genotypes? What do YOU think about this?
Hello! Once again, HepCBC is calling for your input. BC PharmaCare is reviewing whether to add another Direct Acting-Antiviral (DAA) for hepatitis C to its formulary (list of drugs it will cover)
Patient and Caregiver input is requested by BC PharmaCare on Gilead’s combo of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir for Genotypes 1-6 (brand name: Epclusa®). Gilead’s combo is the first pan-genotypic (works for all genotypes) treatment which Pharmacare is considering for coverage. The combo, which generally achieves 95% or better cure rate, was approved by the FDA (in the US) in June, 2016 and received a notice of compliance (NOC) from Health Canada on July 11th, 2016.
If you would like to participate in this drug review, please follow the directions below. HepCBC will put all the responses together and submit them to BC PharmaCare as part of our group opinion as to whether we think this combination of drugs should be recommended as a hepatitis C treatment.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- PRODUCT MONOGRAPH: http://www.gilead.ca/pdf/ca/Epclusa_pm_english.pdf
- PATIENT INFORMATION SHEET (from CATIE) http://www.catie.ca/en/catienews/2016-07-20/hepatitis-c-treatment-epclusa-approved-canada-key-information
- PRESS RELEASE FROM GILEAD (Includes important information on their “MOMENTUM” Patient Support Program) http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/gilead-receives-approval-in-canada-for-epclusa-sofosbuvirvelpatasvir-the-first-once-daily-pan-genotypic-genotypes-1-6-single-tablet-regimen-for-the-treatment-of-chronic-hepatitis-c-586783431.html
THE QUESTIONNAIRE
A questionnaire for Patients and Caregivers to submit to Patient Group HepCBC.
DIRECTIONS:
- A – Read background information.
- B – Read the six questions below.
- C – Send your answers by email to office@hepcbc.bchep.org (or use Contact Form, bottom of hepcbc.bchep.org/contact-us) BEFORE MIDNIGHT on Sunday, September 18, 2016.
THE SIX QUESTIONS (3 optional, 3 REQUIRED):
- #1 [OPTIONAL] How does hepatitis C affect you and your daily life (or that of the person you know)?
- #2 [OPTIONAL] What is your gender, age, genotype, and degree of liver damage (F1, F2, F3, cirrhosis, etc.)? (or that of the person you care for).
- #3 [REQUIRED] What treatments have you (or the person you care for) tried? Were they successful? Were there any side effects?
- #4 [REQUIRED] Have you (or has anyone you know) tried Epclusa®, perhaps as part of a clinical trial? If so, what experience did you (or they) have?
- #5 [REQUIRED] How do you think you (or the person/people you know with hepatitis C) would benefit if Epclusa® were available? Do you think it could improve overall quality of life? If so, why/why not and in what way?
- #6 [OPTIONAL] Is there anything else you think BC PharmaCare should consider when it is reviewing Epclusa®?
Thanks! Now please…
- Send your answers by email to office@hepcbc.bchep.org (or use Contact Form, bottom of hepcbc.bchep.org/contact-us) BEFORE MIDNIGHT on Sunday, September 18, 2016.
- You will receive a thank-you email from us acknowledging your submission soon (not automatic – we are real people [volunteers]) on this end!!)
FURTHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION compiled by NATAP
Using Epclusa® with decompensated liver patients:
http://www.natap.org/2016/APASL/APASL_28.htm
Efficacy of Epclusa® across all 7 genotypes:
http://www.natap.org/2015/hepDART/hepDART_08.htm
Using Epclusa® plus another drug GS-9857 to treat those whose earlier DAA treatment failed:
http://www.natap.org/2016/EASL/EASL_31.htm