Current treatment of chronic hepatitis C in China: Dilemma and potential problems

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in China, which has the highest number of cases worldwide.
• Despite major advances in treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), these life-saving medications are not yet approved in mainland China.
• Current standard care in China relies on interferon (IFN)-α-based therapy, leaving patients unresponsive or intolerant with no viable treatment alternatives.

Discussion:

• Many Chinese patients resort to illegally obtaining DAAs, including generic sofosbuvir, from abroad to manage their HCV infection.
• This practice introduces considerable ethical, legal, and medical challenges, including issues related to drug quality, safety, and patient management.
• The lack of legal access to effective DAAs creates a critical unmet medical need for a large patient population.

Key Insights:

• The absence of approved DAAs in China creates a treatment gap, forcing patients into risky acquisition methods.
• The illegal procurement and use of DAAs raise significant concerns regarding patient safety, regulatory oversight, and medical ethics.
• Urgent policy interventions are required to address the accessibility of DAAs for HCV patients in China.

Outlook:

• Early approval and launching of DAAs in China are crucial to provide legal and safe treatment options.
• Legalizing the purchase of DAAs from outside China for use within the country could offer an interim solution.
• Addressing these issues promptly is essential to improve patient outcomes and mitigate the public health impact of HCV in China.