More drug options for hepatitis C patients

Expanded coverage for hepatitis C drugs is “absolutely huge,” a Saskatoon and Vancouver support nurse said.

“There’s a lot more options for treaters out there, which is great. One drug is not good for everybody; I think there has to be a playing field out there,” said Lesley Gallagher of the Saskatoon Infectious Disease Care Network.

The province announced Wednesday it is expanding coverage of six drugs that treat hepatitis C, effective April 1. The drugs have success rates of more than 95 per cent and can cure patients within eight to 12 weeks.

Provinces, territories and federal drug programs negotiated with the drugs’ manufacturers through the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance to obtain better prices. About 12,000 Saskatchewan patients with hepatitis C may benefit from these negotiations over the coming years, the province said.

New hep C drugs listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary include Epclusa, Zepatier, Daklinza, and Sunvepra. Coverage is expanding for Sovaldi and Harvoni.

Currently, coverage is restricted to patients with a more advanced disease. The negotiations allow the criteria to be expanded to patients with less severe disease.

Patients with Genotype 2 or 3 will no longer have to suffer through the “archaic” treatment interferon before given access to other antivirals, Gallagher said, noting interferon comes with “horrendous” side effects including anorexia, dizziness and shortness of breath.

Gallagher urges people to get tested, noting people with hepatitis C are still falling through the cracks.

“Until we get a national strategy for hepatitis C testing, people are going to have to advocate for themselves.”