Graham Barker of the Haemophilia Society wrote to the Department of Health to say that "the Society believes that the provision of interferon alpha for the treatment of HCV should be centrally funded." Read more about Graham Barker of the Haemophilia Society wrote to the Department of Health to say that "the Society believes that the provision of interferon alpha for the treatment of HCV should be centrally funded."
The Deputy CMO stated that "patients on interferon require frequent monitoring of their blood count and biochemistry. For these reasons therefore it would be usual for hospitals rather than GPs, to prescribe Interferon. If they decide that this is what [is] required clinically, then the patient's Health Authority [or] GP fundholder, as purchasers, will then have to consider whether or not to fund the treatment having regard to their priorities." Read more about The Deputy CMO stated that "patients on interferon require frequent monitoring of their blood count and biochemistry. For these reasons therefore it would be usual for hospitals rather than GPs, to prescribe Interferon. If they decide that this is what [is] required clinically, then the patient's Health Authority [or] GP fundholder, as purchasers, will then have to consider whether or not to fund the treatment having regard to their priorities."
The West Midlands Director of Public Health wrote to the Deputy CMO to say that about 300 patients infected through transfusions were expected to be identified through the Hepatitis C lookback, with potential treatment costs of £500,000, and asked "who is going to pay." Read more about The West Midlands Director of Public Health wrote to the Deputy CMO to say that about 300 patients infected through transfusions were expected to be identified through the Hepatitis C lookback, with potential treatment costs of £500,000, and asked "who is going to pay."
Dr Bell, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Ipswich Hospital, sought advice from the CMO regarding funding for interferon treatment. He reported that the District Health Authority had described the funding for the treatment as a "grey area". Read more about Dr Bell, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Ipswich Hospital, sought advice from the CMO regarding funding for interferon treatment. He reported that the District Health Authority had described the funding for the treatment as a "grey area".
In a memo regarding a pilot study of Hepatitis C screening, John Canavan noted that additional treatment costs "could be very substantial indeed" if interferon were to become the established therapy for Hepatitis C carriers. Read more about In a memo regarding a pilot study of Hepatitis C screening, John Canavan noted that additional treatment costs "could be very substantial indeed" if interferon were to become the established therapy for Hepatitis C carriers.
Interferon was used in the UK to treat poor liver function prior to its licensing in 1994. Read more about Interferon was used in the UK to treat poor liver function prior to its licensing in 1994.
The Expert Group on Hepatitis explained that the major factor determining any long-term impact of Hepatitis C on a person's health is the degree of liver fibrosis at the time when the Hepatitis C polymerase chain reaction ("PCR") test became negative. Read more about The Expert Group on Hepatitis explained that the major factor determining any long-term impact of Hepatitis C on a person's health is the degree of liver fibrosis at the time when the Hepatitis C polymerase chain reaction ("PCR") test became negative.
Interferon-free treatments became available. These were a combination of sofosbuvir and other agents which "ensured high treatment rates were achievable" without the use of interferon. Read more about Interferon-free treatments became available. These were a combination of sofosbuvir and other agents which "ensured high treatment rates were achievable" without the use of interferon.
Ribavirin combined with interferon increased cure rates of Hepatitis C significantly. Read more about Ribavirin combined with interferon increased cure rates of Hepatitis C significantly.
Health authorities were refusing to fund alpha interferon due to its cost and belief it was of limited clinical effectiveness. Read more about Health authorities were refusing to fund alpha interferon due to its cost and belief it was of limited clinical effectiveness.