Hepatitis C Drugs Made in Pakistan

Abstract

Hepatitis C is among the most prevalent liver diseases in the world caused by hepatitis C virus and it further predisposes the patient to liver cancers. This virus is transmitted through the use of infected syringes, infected blood transfusions and sexual contact with affected individuals. This disease is asymptomatic initially but may follow an acute or chronic progressive course. Pakistan has a significant ratio of hepatitis affected patients with every one out of 20 individuals being seropositive. The treatment of hepatitis and its success is dependent upon the early diagnosis of the disease through the identification of anti HCV antibodies and further disease confirmation by detection of HCV RNA through nucleic acid amplification tests. Ferozsons pharmaceutical company is credited with the introduction of effective Hepatitis C treatments in Pakistan which were initially were expensive. However, with the development of new and better medicines the cost reduced effectively and the treatment is now affordable by people with low income. Many actions have been taken at the government level which have made mass screening of the individuals along with appropriate and timely supply of medications possible. Another important step in eradicating Hepatitis C is the education of the public by advertisements, seminars and HCV courses conducted by specialists. Project ECHO deserves mention, as it shows that people treated according to ECHO methodology have better prognosis than the others.