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[To improve the accessibility of hepatitis B treatment]

H Zhuang1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Center of Infectious Diseases, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.

Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi = Zhonghua Ganzangbing Zazhi = Chinese Journal of Hepatology
|July 29, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Chronic hepatitis B affects 90 million in China, with millions needing urgent treatment. Improving access to antiviral drugs requires price reductions and expanded insurance coverage.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Public Health
  • Pharmacoeconomics

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis B represents a significant health burden in China, affecting an estimated 90 million individuals.
  • Approximately 7.4 million people with chronic hepatitis B are at high risk of advanced liver disease and cancer, necessitating urgent treatment.
  • Current antiviral treatment accessibility is low, with only 12.5% of patients receiving necessary medication.

Discussion:

  • The low uptake of antiviral therapy highlights critical barriers to treatment access.
  • Addressing the substantial burden of chronic hepatitis B requires multifaceted strategies to improve drug affordability and availability.
  • Policy interventions are crucial to ensure timely and effective management of chronic hepatitis B.

Key Insights:

  • A significant gap exists between the number of individuals requiring chronic hepatitis B treatment and those currently receiving it.
  • Reducing the cost of antiviral medications is a primary factor in enhancing treatment accessibility.
  • Integrating antiviral drugs into national essential drug lists and reimbursement schemes is vital.

Outlook:

  • Implementing government-led price negotiations and reconsidering patent registrations for drugs posing public health risks can lower costs.
  • Expanding insurance coverage for antiviral treatments in both inpatient and outpatient settings will improve patient access.
  • Proactive policy measures are essential to mitigate the long-term health consequences of chronic hepatitis B in China.

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