International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

“Sell an Ox” - The Price of Cure for Hepatitis C in Two Countries

Document Type : Perspective

Authors
Ora Paltiel 1
Workagegnehu Hailu 2
Zenahebezu Abay 2
Avram Mark Clarfield 3
Martin McKee 4
1 School of Public Health, Hadassah-Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
2 Department of Internal Medicine, Gondar University Hospital, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
3 Medical School for International Health, Ben Gurion University, Beersheva, Israel
4 Department of Public Health & Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
10.15171/ijhpm.2019.135
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, associated with severe liver disease and cancer, affects 70 million people worldwide. New treatments with direct-acting-antivirals offer cure for about 95% of affected individuals; however, treatment costs may be prohibitive in both the poorest and richest nations. Opting for cure may require sacrificing essential household assets. We highlight the financial dilemmas involved, drawing parallels between Ethiopia and the United States, countries where universal health coverage does not yet exist. The World Health Organization (WHO) declaration for HCV eradication by 2030 will only become reality if universal access to efficacious and affordable treatment is guaranteed for everyone.
Keywords
Hepatitis C
Ethiopia
USA
Antiviral Therapy
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Subjects
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International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Volume 9, Issue 6
June 2020
Pages 229-232

  • Received Date 12 October 2019
  • Revised Date 06 December 2019
  • Accepted Date 07 December 2019
  • First Published Date 01 June 2020
  • Published Date 01 June 2020