Hepatitis C – the implications and the need for change in the health care system in Poland

• Published in: Journal of health policy & outcomes research 2014-12 (2), p.26-41
• Main Authors: Władysiuk, Magdalena, Hałdaś, Mateusz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2299-1247; 2299-1247
• DOI: 10.7365/JHPOR.2014.2.4

Hepatitis C is a disease spreading across the world. It is estimated that more than 185 million people are potentially infected with HCV. Each year approximately 350 thousand people die of diseases resulting from HCV. In Poland about 231 thousand people are believed to be infected, with up to 85% of them unaware of their progressive illness. Hepatitis C leads to serious complications in the liver and, consequently, can lead to death. The disease generates appreciable costs associated with the treatment of the complications of HCV in the advanced stages of the disease as well as lost productivity. As there is no vaccine against HCV, hepatitis C treatment is the only way to eradicate the virus. This is now possible with new therapies. This article presents the burden of hepatitis C and its changing dynamics in the context of hepatitis B and HIV in Poland. The natural history, the costs generated by the disease, available current therapies and suggested ways forward are also discussed in the article.