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HCV Guidelines-AASLD/IDSA New Recommendations-'Whom & When To Initiate Therapy' issued Aug 11 2014
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Here is IDSA statement on HCV drug pricing.......
http://www.idsociety.org/Hepatitis_C_Antivirals_Statement/
IDSA Statement on Hepatitis C Antivirals
07/22/2014
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is encouraged by the recent development of direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV). With an estimated 3 to 4 million Americans infected with HCV, the potential for cure offered by these new drugs for a majority of patients with HCV represents a significant medical advancement.
There are many factors that impact an individual patient's access to care - availability of and access to appropriate health care practitioners, insurance benefit design (including drug coverage and cost-sharing), and drug affordability. IDSA recognizes the substantial investment in research and development required to bring new, effective drugs to patients. We are, however, concerned that pricing of new drugs may put such therapy out of reach for many patients who are most in need of these life-saving drugs. IDSA is hopeful that the various stakeholders can work together to maximize patient access to optimal care.
IDSA Statement on Hepatitis C Antivirals
07/22/2014
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is encouraged by the recent development of direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV). With an estimated 3 to 4 million Americans infected with HCV, the potential for cure offered by these new drugs for a majority of patients with HCV represents a significant medical advancement.
There are many factors that impact an individual patient's access to care - availability of and access to appropriate health care practitioners, insurance benefit design (including drug coverage and cost-sharing), and drug affordability. IDSA recognizes the substantial investment in research and development required to bring new, effective drugs to patients. We are, however, concerned that pricing of new drugs may put such therapy out of reach for many patients who are most in need of these life-saving drugs. IDSA is hopeful that the various stakeholders can work together to maximize patient access to optimal care.
- See more at:
http://www.idsociety.org/Hepatitis_C_Antivirals_Statement/#sthash.46pPzHL3.dpuf
425 California Street, Suite 1450
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 544-9400
Hepatitis C Treatment: Guidance on When and in Whom to Initiate Therapy Published Today Online
When and in Whom to Initiate HCV Therapy, the newest section of the HCV Guidance website, was published today by the AASLD/IDSA/IAS-USA.
The Panel of the AASLD/IDSA/IAS-USA Guidance recommends that everyone with HCV infection be treated. Owing to limitations of the capacity within the health system and the availability of resources, treatment might be prioritized to patients who are most likely to benefit from more immediate treatment (including those with advanced fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis, or who have had liver transplants) or whose treatment is most likely to reduce onward HCV transmission. Attainment of a sustained virologic response (SVR; virologic cure) in these patients likely will result in an overall decrease in HCV disease prevalence.
A link to access the new section can be found on the IAS-USA website.
HERE IS A DIRECT LINK TO THE NEW SECTION DEALING WITH THIS QUESTION:
WHEN AND IN WHOM TO INITIATE HCV THERAPY .......
http://www.hcvguidelines.org/full-report/when-and-whom-initiate-hcv-therapy
This is the press release the HCV Guidelines-AASLD/IDSA panel put out this morning:
HCV Treatment Recommendations Now Includes
Information on Prioritizing Patients Under Limited Resources
The American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), in collaboration with the International Antiviral Society-USA (IAS-USA), today released the latest section of their website, www.hcvguidance.org, which assists clinicians treating patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The new section is titled, "When and in Whom to Initiate HCV Therapy."
It is estimated that between 3 and 4 million Americans are infected with HCV and have chronic liver disease as a result. Recent direct-acting antivirals are extremely effective in treating the virus and hold great potential for cure. However, limitations of workforce and societal resources may limit the feasibility of treating all patients within a short period of time.
With the addition of the new section, www.hcvguidance.org now offers clinicians information on how to prioritize treatment for those patients who will derive the most benefit or will have the greatest impact on limiting further HCV transmission. Highest priority should be given to patients with advanced fibrosis with compensated cirrhosis and liver transplant recipients and high priority given to patients at high risk for liver-related complications and severe extra-hepatic HCV complications. The guidance provides further detailed information on additional conditions that warrant prioritization of treatment.
The website, developed by a panel of 27 liver disease and infectious diseases specialists and a patient advocate, provides recommendations based on the latest evidence and on consensus of the panelists. It will be updated regularly to keep pace with improved diagnostic tools and new drug options as they become available.
"The benefits of curing HCV are clear from the standpoint of individual patients as well as that of the health and welfare of our society. This new guidance will help clinicians determine the best course of therapy for each patient given their unique condition," said Barbara Murray, MD, president of IDSA.
The three organizations will continue to work together to provide future sections of the guidance website as well as timely updates. The next two sections are underway and cover monitoring patients following treatment and management of acute HCV infection.
"New therapies recently approved by the FDA and those that are in the pipeline and will reach market soon will completely change the landscape for patients with hepatitis C," said Steven Echard, AASLD chief executive officer. "We have filled a void in providing reputable and timely information to healthcare providers and their patients by addressing whom to treat and when, as well as identifying patients that are in immediate need of treatment and those who can safely wait for the next generation of drugs."
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