Treatment costs of hepatitis C infection among injection drug users in Canada, 2006–2026

Abstract Background Canadian injection drug users (IDUs) are at high risk of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV). However, little is known about the costs associated with their HCV-related medical treatment. We estimated the medical costs of treating HCV-infected IDUs from 2006 to 2026. Methods We emp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The International journal of drug policy 2011-01, Vol.22 (1), p.70-76
Main Authors: Werb, Daniel, Wood, Evan, Kerr, Thomas, Hershfield, Neil, Palmer, Robert W.H, Remis, Robert S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Births
Canada
Cost
Costs
Disease transmission
Diseases
Drug use
Drug Users
Drugs
Female
Health Care Costs
Health care expenditures
Health costs
Health expenditure
Hepatitis
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C - complications
Hepatitis C - drug therapy
Hepatitis C - economics
Hepatitis C - epidemiology
Hepatitis C virus
HIV Infections - complications
HIV Infections - drug therapy
HIV Infections - economics
Humans
Infection
Injection drug use
Injections
Internal Medicine
Intravenous drug addicts
Male
Markov analysis
Markov Chains
Medical care
Medical Education
Medical treatment
Mortality
Ontario
Prevalence
Reproductive health
Risk
Substance Abuse, Intravenous - complications
Substance Abuse, Intravenous - economics
Substance Abuse, Intravenous - epidemiology
Treatment
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Summary:Abstract Background Canadian injection drug users (IDUs) are at high risk of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV). However, little is known about the costs associated with their HCV-related medical treatment. We estimated the medical costs of treating HCV-infected IDUs from 2006 to 2026. Methods We employed a Markov model of entry through birth or immigration to exposure-related behaviours or experiences, HCV infection, progression to HCV sequelae and mortality for active and ex-IDUs in Canada. We estimated direct and indirect treatment costs using data from the Ontario Case Costing Initiative (OCCI). Result Approximately 137,000 IDUs will suffer from HCV-related disease each year until 2026. Applying the OCCI cost data to the prevalence of HCV-related disease from 2006 to 2026 yielded an estimated cost of $3.96 billion CND to treat HCV-infected IDUs. Conclusions Substantial costs are associated with the treatment of HCV-related disease among Canadian IDUs. Given the lack of effective HCV prevention strategies in Canada, we must develop targeted evidence-based responses to prevent HCV transmission and ensure appropriate allocation of medical resources to meet the present and future treatment needs of HCV-infected IDUs.
ISSN:0955-3959
1873-4758
DOI:10.1016/j.drugpo.2010.09.006