E-DRUG: Brazil's fight against Hepatitis C: Universalism, Local Production & Patents
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[Congratulations Brazil ! BS Moderator]
Dear all,
I would like to share the amazing work of our colleagues titled "Brazil's
Fight against Hepatitis C: Universalism, Local Production, and
Patents" published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Congratulations to Drs. Massard da Fonseca, Shadlen, and Bastos for this work!
Introduction:
The emergence of new direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) has revolutionized the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV); these more effective and better tolerated drugs allow for cure rates exceeding 90%.
The price of these new therapies, however, is prohibitive in many countries, so creative strategies are needed for ensuring access. Brazil, a pioneer in the fight against HIV and AIDS, is now at the forefront in addressing HCV. The country’s strategy, which combines evidence-based treatment protocols and innovative initiatives for local production of generic DAAs, needs to be considered in light of ongoing conflicts over pharmaceutical patents.
An estimated 700,000 people in Brazil are living with hepatitis C. In 2017, in keeping with the World Health Organization (WHO) goal of eliminating HCV by 2030, the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MoH) ensured that 50,000 patients were treated. The decision to follow the most current treatment protocol available was made possible by innovative approaches to cost containment.
Here is the link to the paper:
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1812959
Thank you!
Best wishes,
Maria Joachim, MSc
PhD Candidate, Health Services Organization and Policy
Department of Health Management and Policy
University of Michigan School of Public Health
Maria Joachim <mjoachim@umich.edu>