Hepatitis C patients receive expanded drug coverage

THUNDER BAY -- A Thunder Bay group that provides HIV/AIDS/hepatitis C education and support services is welcoming a move by the Ontario government to expand access to hepatitis C medication.

An announcement from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term care means that all eligible Ontario Drug Benefit (ODP) recipients now have greater access to drugs, regardless of the severity of their disease level.

Previously, patients with chronic hepatitis C had to wait for their disease to progress to a more serious level before starting the treatment.

A ministry spokesperson says that due to the significant cost ($45,000 to $100,000 per patient), hep C drugs had been restricted to case-by-case review under the Exceptional Access Program and were only available to those with more severe disease.

"Ontario has now expanded access to medicines as a result of successful negotiations between the provinces and drug manufacturers," David Jensen said in an email to tbnewswatch.com.

Aaron Leiterman, director of client services for Elevate NWO, said the change "definitely will save people's lives."

In an interview with tbnewswatch.com, Leiterman said "it's really opened up treatment. It's removed one of the primary barriers, which was the need for a FibroScan score."

A FibroScan is a medical device that helps determine the amount of damage the liver has suffered from disease. 

Leiterman explained that patients are scored from level 0 to level 4.  Previously, individuals lower than level 2 would not qualify for treatment, and some clients at level 2 or higher would also need to have another disease before being eligible.

Leiterman said at least 10 Elevate NWO clients instantly qualify for the drug therapy as a result of the announcement. "They've been 'parked' with us for a year or two years. So the immediate impact is very significant for us. And as we do more testing, we'll be able to get more people on board and into treatment a lot faster."

On Wednesday, staff at the agency were already able to pass on the good news to one individual. "Our nurse met with him. He was very excited to receive the news today. 'Hey, we can start new treatment this afternoon' was a very big deal for him," Leiterman said.

He noted that hep C and its impact on the liver over time is very significant, and if it's not taken care of over time, will lead to cancers or the need for a liver transplant.

Elevate NWO currently supports about 300 clients with hepatitis C. It's estimated that one of every 50 residents of Thunder Bay is living with the infectious disease. The District of Thunder Bay has the highest rate of reported cases in Ontario.

People may show no signs of infection for years, which is why health experts recommend an early diagnosis.

Leiterman said any individuals who feel they may be at risk can obtain a test through Elevate NWO. He said candidates include people such as those with a history of intravenous drug use, or those who've shared a toothbrush or nail clippers with an infected person, or have come into contact with the blood of, an infected person through rough sex.

Testing is offered at the agency's North Cumberland Street clinic as well as in a mobile unit that visits the south core weekly.