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AIDS expert Dr. Julio Montaner and B.C.’s Ministry of Health are planning to take on another infectious disease with potentially deadly consequences: hepatitis C.
Speaking at a news conference Tuesday on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside — where an estimated 80 per cent of area drug users have hep C — Health Minister Terry Lake said publicly funded treatment is now restricted to people who already have considerable liver damage, but that could change.
“What Dr. Montaner is looking at is a targeted hep C program for core transmitters: people who are living a lifestyle that puts them at risk for re-transmitting,” said Lake. “That work will require help from the provincial government and we’re having discussions about that at the moment.”
– See more at: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/could+next+target+vancouver+downtown+eastside/11558054/story.html#sthash.SUUpbXj9.dpuf