New Hep C drugs to be given to Lothian patients

Published on Wednesday 8 February 2012 12:03

HEPATITIS C patients across the Lothians will be among the first to be given the option of two revolutionary treatments.

A panel of experts gathered by Health Protection Scotland has published guidance on the drugs, which could save thousands of lives across the world if approved.

There are around 3000 people in Edinburgh known to be suffering from the infection which attacks the liver, but charities worry that there could be a similar number of undiagnosed victims.

Charles Gore, chief executive of the Hepatitis C Trust and president of the World Hepatitis Alliance, said: “These guidelines are very good news for patients and show that Scotland will continue to lead the eradication of hepatitis C.”

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ironjustice

Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:31 AM

One might wonder how the drugs compare in price to simple iron reduction therapy ? The previous drug treatment interferon was costly and one can assume the new drug treatment to be just as costly ? Iron reduction therapy is blood donation and touted as "an option to interferon". Iron reduction therapy is very inexpensive with no side effects. "Considering the therapeutic effects of iron removal on both biochemical and histological parameters, the safety-proved economical procedure might be recommended for patients as an option to interferon"

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