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Effective February 28, Ontario will become the first province to reimburse ZEPATIER® (elbasvir/grazoprevir), a simple one pill, once daily, 12 week no ribavirin regimen for most patients, and will be followed by British Columbia on March 21
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In addition to patients with liver fibrosis stage F2+, patients with liver fibrosis stage F0 and F1 with poor prognostic factors, who had no public access to a potential cure under existing public plans, are now eligible for treatment
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Patients with CHC genotypes 1 and 4, with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and intravenous drug users – representing the highest number of new cases1 – will have access to treatment
KIRKLAND, QC, Feb. 22, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ – An estimated 185,000 people in Ontario and British Columbia have hepatitis C, a chronic liver disease that, if left untreated, can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver transplants.2 Merck Canada Inc. today announced that the Government of Ontario and of British Columbia are strengthening their commitment in the global fight against hepatitis C by becoming the first provinces to reimburse ZEPATIER® (elbasvir/grazoprevir). Zepatier is indicated in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C genotypes 1, 3 or 4 infections in adults patients.3 The product monograph with detailed product indication is available online by clicking here.
“We’re pleased to have worked with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) and participating jurisdictions to provide access to Zepatier to patients who need it, including those at higher risk,” says Chirfi Guindo, President and Managing Director, Merck Canada Inc. “Hepatitis C is a curable disease, and today’s announcement brings us one step closer to eradicating the virus in Canada.”
For the first time special populations, including hepatitis C patients with fibrosis stage F0 and F1 who are co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus or who have chronic kidney disease (CKD), will be eligible for treatment as of February 28th under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program (ODB), and as of March 21st under B.C.’s PharmaCare program.
“The publicly funded availability of Zepatier in Canada for hepatitis C treatment represents a major milestone in the access to care for patients; not only those patients with advanced liver damage or cirrhosis have access to treatment but now those who may progress to more serious liver damage in the future can be cured. The dedication of Merck to addressing clinical studies in targeted and specific populations in need such as those with cirrhosis, advanced kidney disease and those who inject drugs, allow all treaters to use this treatment regimen to cure their patients safely,” said Dr. Sergio Borgia, Medical Director and Corporate Division Head of the Infectious Disease Program at William Osler Health System.
These provincial public funding announcements follow the World Health Organization’s (WHO) adoption of the first global health strategy on viral hepatitis, which includes a goal of 30% reduction in new cases of hepatitis B and C by 2020 and a 10% reduction in mortality, as well as increased access to treatment for hepatitis B and C.4 In June 2016, the Government of Canada announced its commitment in the global fight against viral hepatitis with the adoption of the Global Strategy on Viral Hepatitis. It has for objective to eliminate hepatitis B and C by 2030.5
Read more…http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ontario-british-columbia-expand-treatment-173800028.html