Posted by Michael Wonder on 23 Sep 2016
NICE says yes to another hepatitis C drug
23 September 2016 - A new drug which effectively treats more genotypes of hepatitis C has been recommended for use in the NHS.
NICE has published new draft guidance which recommends sofosbuvir-velpatasvir – an anti-viral drug that offers patients with chronic hepatitis C a potential cure.
Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir – a tablet taken once daily – works by blocking the virus from multiplying and infecting new cells. Trials of the drug showed cure rates of 89% and above for all genotypes.
People who have genotype 3 are currently treated with an older type of anti-viral drug, which can cause unwanted side effects. Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir will be the first drug that offers more effective treatment to this group of patients – who make up 44% of the patient population with chronic hepatitis C.
The NICE appraisal committee concluded that sofosbuvir-velpatasvir was clinically and cost-effective, and should be routinely available on the NHS.
