The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) have announced which of the new treatments will be made available by the NHS to people living with hepatitis C. The NICE decisions will widen access to a range of new all-oral, direct acting antiviral treatments beyond those patients with decompensated cirrhosis who were treated from 2014 under the Early Access Scheme, and beyond those with cirrhosis who were given access to new treatments earlier this year.
This is wonderful news for people living with genotype 1 and 4 of the virus. It was less welcome news for many of those with Genotype 3, who still await access to new treatments within the NHS.
The new treatments available are:
- Harvoni, a combination of two drugs, ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. It is produced by Gilead
- A combination of two drugs Daklinza, daclatasvir produced by Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Sovaldi, sofosbuvir produced by Gilead.
- Viekirax, is a combination of four drugs, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir and Exviera (dasabuvir). They are produced by AbbVie.
All those with genotypes 1 and 4, should now be able to access the new non-interferon based treatments with shorter treatment times and less severe side effects.
Some people living with genotype 3, can access Daklinza and Sovaldi. None of the treatments looked at by NICE at this stage are for genotype 2, there are trials taking place for new treatments for this genotype.
The Hepatitis C Trust will continue to push for better treatments for all genotypes.
Patients who meet the criteria stipulated by NICE, now have the right to access these treatments through the NHS. The Hepatitis C Trust urges local commissioners and clinicians to work together through the newly established Organisational Delivery Networks (ODNs) to ensure that patients are given access to these new treatments on the ground as soon as possible.
You can view what criteria gives access to the new treatments by genotype.
If you want any support or information on how to access treatment or are having any issues with your hospital, please call our confidential helpline on 0845 223 4424 or 0207 089 6221 or email helpline@hepctrust.org.uk.