Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

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ImKramer 12/04/2013

AbbVie Cites Positives In Hepatitis C Treatment
AbbVie Inc. said its oral treatment for hepatitis C showed about 96 percent of patients had no detectable levels of the virus after 12 weeks.
http://www.wbjournal.com/article/20131121/NEWS01/131129991/1002

peepers21 12/04/2013

I pray this will be affordable for all of us..thanks for posting ImK .

ImKramer 12/04/2013

Seems like lots coming in a few months. Ribavirin still in the mix but for those that can't wait much longer it's great news! For those that are stage 1 or 2, maybe even 3 fibrosis, another year warehoused might be a good choice :)

MLTTexas 12/04/2013

I'm trying now for the AbbVie trial in Dallas, since the Gilead trial in Dallas is full up for my criteria. I called about the AbbVie trial yesterday, and waiting for a call back today after they talk with the doctor about making an appointment for me. I'm praying for this one.

ImKramer 12/04/2013

Amazing to go from nothing to choices eh Marilyn? Good luck!

MLTTexas 12/04/2013

If any of the trials were going on in St. Louis or Kansas City, MO, I could go there and stay with one of my daughters. I would love that. But no trials there right now.

MLTTexas 12/04/2013

I wonder how soon doctors have access to these drugs once they are FDA approved. I asked my doctor, a few weeks ago, and he said he wasn't sure. I'll see him again in Jan. if I don't get in this trial.

packedsand 12/04/2013

@ MLT - my doctor has me waiting to see him again in February - so I think there will be a little 'lag' time once the FDA approves the drug.

ImKramer 12/04/2013

In Canada my Liver team told me that employment insurance plans should start to cover as early as March and hopefully our Provincial plan in the Fall.
My copay is 20% so if I get coverage through pvt insurance it could still cost me as much as $32,000. (based on two drugs at $80,000 ea.)
OUCH!!!

ImKramer 12/04/2013

ooops sorry that was an estimate for the off label combo of sofosbuvir and simeprevir

ImKramer 12/04/2013

..but you know the more choices the more competitive they will have to be!

MLTTexas 12/04/2013

These companies surely hav financial help you can apply for. I know all these people here who have taken treatments haven't paid $80,000 or more for the drugs. I live on SS, so unless I get in a trial or get significant grants or whatever from the companies that make these drugs, I can't even consider them.

dragonars 12/04/2013

Mmmmm Wonder if they will take a check.

WarriorGal 12/05/2013

yes, competition SHOULD be good for price.

not to be a pessimist, but is anyone concerned about them rushing this stuff through trials to approval? the fda has made some BIG booboos in the past... I mean wouldn't it be a bummer to get the drugs, get svr and find out that it causes something else...or doesn't last as long as they thought it would??? i'd hate to be doing this all over again in ten years.

WarriorGal 12/05/2013

i mean i want them to hurry up but take their time and make sure they got it right.

MLTTexas 12/05/2013

No way to be totally sure until there's history behind these treatments.

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