This is where I was last week. A wonderful HCV conference where Natalie Cole was the guest speaker. Yes that is me doing the intro :-)
I misspoke and should have said my hemoglobin went from almost 17 to 6, not 7 to 6 but oh well! LOL
Check out the link and hear what Natalie has to say about her journey and please feel free to pass forward. http://youtu.be/Ql-Fb3Vc-co You might have to copy and paste into your browser
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Copy and paste the link into your browser to see the picture[s]:
http://2011dchepatitismeeting.shutterfly.com/pictures/252
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
GET TESTED for Hepatitis C! Important for Everyone from Transplant Recipients to Licensed Practical Nurses!
GET TESTED for Hepatitis C!
About me: (from www.myspace.com/figmento )
I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in June 1997 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and since that time I have turned my life over to educating and advocating wherever I can for Hepatitis C. I do have cirrhosis.
You should be tested for Hepatitis C if you:
*Received blood, blood products, or an organ transplant prior to 1992
*Ever shared drug paraphernalia
*Ever been stuck by a used blood needle
*Had a tattoo or body piercing
*Been on kidney dialysis
*Had sexual activity that involved contact with blood
*Had a vaccination with a pneumatic jet gun injector (Military)
*Shared personal care items with other people (razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, etc.)
*Work as a first responder (EMT, fireman, policeman, etc.) or in the health care field (Doctor,PA, RN, LPN, etc)
Hepatitis C patients outnumber HIV patients FIVE TO ONE! 1 in 12 in the world have some form of hepatitis! Visit http://www.aminumber12.org/ for more information.
While living in Woodstock, GA several years ago, I became actively involved in a nonprofit called H.E.A.L.S of North Georgia (Hepatitis Education Awareness and Liver Support) and when I moved to Florida we changed the name to H.E.A.L.S of the South. We have websites at http://www.healsofthesouth.org/ and http://www.healsofthesouth.com/
Stop by and visit!
Also you can join http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HepCingles2 and ASK QUESTIONS and receive support!
Mahatma Gandhi put it well: "Be the change you want to see in the world." It always begins with one person.
Tell 12 of your friends to get Tested for Hep C and vaccinated for Hep A and Hep B and tell them to tell 12 friends. Let's educate the WORLD!
About me: (from www.myspace.com/figmento )
I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in June 1997 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and since that time I have turned my life over to educating and advocating wherever I can for Hepatitis C. I do have cirrhosis.
You should be tested for Hepatitis C if you:
*Received blood, blood products, or an organ transplant prior to 1992
*Ever shared drug paraphernalia
*Ever been stuck by a used blood needle
*Had a tattoo or body piercing
*Been on kidney dialysis
*Had sexual activity that involved contact with blood
*Had a vaccination with a pneumatic jet gun injector (Military)
*Shared personal care items with other people (razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, etc.)
*Work as a first responder (EMT, fireman, policeman, etc.) or in the health care field (Doctor,PA, RN, LPN, etc)
Hepatitis C patients outnumber HIV patients FIVE TO ONE! 1 in 12 in the world have some form of hepatitis! Visit http://www.aminumber12.org/ for more information.
While living in Woodstock, GA several years ago, I became actively involved in a nonprofit called H.E.A.L.S of North Georgia (Hepatitis Education Awareness and Liver Support) and when I moved to Florida we changed the name to H.E.A.L.S of the South. We have websites at http://www.healsofthesouth.org/ and http://www.healsofthesouth.com/
Stop by and visit!
Also you can join http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HepCingles2 and ASK QUESTIONS and receive support!
Mahatma Gandhi put it well: "Be the change you want to see in the world." It always begins with one person.
Tell 12 of your friends to get Tested for Hep C and vaccinated for Hep A and Hep B and tell them to tell 12 friends. Let's educate the WORLD!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
World Hepatitis Day July 28, 2011
White House: World Hepatitis Day Briefing, July 28,2011
Click to watch............
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57GqP85CURE&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1gz5gxKwhM&feature=youtu.be
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
President Obama proclaims July 28, 2011, as World Hepatitis Day
http://nvhr.org/content/president-obama-proclaims-july-28-2011-world-hepatitis-day
Then click on the PDF
2011_hepatitis_prc_rel.pdf
Click to watch............
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57GqP85CURE&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1gz5gxKwhM&feature=youtu.be
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
President Obama proclaims July 28, 2011, as World Hepatitis Day
http://nvhr.org/content/president-obama-proclaims-july-28-2011-world-hepatitis-day
Then click on the PDF
2011_hepatitis_prc_rel.pdf
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Killing Us Softly: What Americans Don't Know & Why It Will Kill Them
Killing Us Softly: What Americans Don't Know & Why It Will Kill Them
For too long, viral hepatitis, an epidemic that doesn't necessarily make headlines, has steadily and silently affected the lives of millions of Americans. In fact, as many as 5.3 million Americans have hepatitis B or hepatitis C, contributing to a global burden that now engulfs more than half a billion people. These infections fuel a cascade of suffering, including cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. In fact, viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver transplantation in the U.S. In short, vulnerable communities are being devastated across our nation and, indeed, around the world. Last month, our government made a commitment to advance and integrate national efforts to break the silence.
Why is taking action so necessary? First, because those with the disease can be symptom-free for decades, and few actually know their status or understand how highly infectious viral hepatitis is. For example, hepatitis C is 10 times more infectious and hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than HIV/AIDS. And nearly two-thirds of those living with hepatitis don't even know they're infected. This tragic lack of awareness leaves infected persons more vulnerable to complications and also more likely to unwittingly spread the infection to others. Second, without action, hepatitis B and C will burden our country with at least $20 billion in health care expenses over the next 10 years. Finally, we know that too many opportunities for prevention, testing and treatment -- including vaccination against hepatitis B -- have remained untapped or underutilized.
Fortunately, the federal government has initiated new efforts to tackle this treatable and highly preventable public health challenge. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released Combating the Silent Epidemic of Viral Hepatitis: Action Plan for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis, a comprehensive strategy to combat the disease. This action plan contains a series of interventions that are both cost-effective and feasible. The plan includes some important building blocks already in place, including vaccination against hepatitis B. Most notably, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) improves patient access to viral hepatitis services through education, testing, vaccination and referral. Moreover, the ACA encourages state-based Medicaid programs to cover clinical preventive services such as immunization. Other strategies aim to raise public awareness about viral hepatitis and to create more opportunities to train health professionals to diagnose, treat and ultimately prevent more people from getting this disease.
We hope that these and other commitments will catalyze action for further progress. On the global front, the World Health Organization has designated July 28 as the first annual World Hepatitis Day. Such attention is long overdue for a condition that affects one in 12 persons worldwide. These new beginnings can shine a bright light on a disease that has lingered for too long in the shadows.
As a nation and as part of a global society, it is time to break the silence. Too many are suffering and the consequences affect us all. Together, we must finally sound the alarm that can serve as a call to action to end this silent epidemic.
Rep Mike Honda is Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Follow Rep Honda on Facebook and Twitter. Dr. Howard K. Koh is the Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Follow Rep. Mike Honda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/repmikehonda
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-mike-honda/world-hepatitis-day_b_872471.html
For too long, viral hepatitis, an epidemic that doesn't necessarily make headlines, has steadily and silently affected the lives of millions of Americans. In fact, as many as 5.3 million Americans have hepatitis B or hepatitis C, contributing to a global burden that now engulfs more than half a billion people. These infections fuel a cascade of suffering, including cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. In fact, viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver transplantation in the U.S. In short, vulnerable communities are being devastated across our nation and, indeed, around the world. Last month, our government made a commitment to advance and integrate national efforts to break the silence.
Why is taking action so necessary? First, because those with the disease can be symptom-free for decades, and few actually know their status or understand how highly infectious viral hepatitis is. For example, hepatitis C is 10 times more infectious and hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than HIV/AIDS. And nearly two-thirds of those living with hepatitis don't even know they're infected. This tragic lack of awareness leaves infected persons more vulnerable to complications and also more likely to unwittingly spread the infection to others. Second, without action, hepatitis B and C will burden our country with at least $20 billion in health care expenses over the next 10 years. Finally, we know that too many opportunities for prevention, testing and treatment -- including vaccination against hepatitis B -- have remained untapped or underutilized.
Fortunately, the federal government has initiated new efforts to tackle this treatable and highly preventable public health challenge. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released Combating the Silent Epidemic of Viral Hepatitis: Action Plan for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis, a comprehensive strategy to combat the disease. This action plan contains a series of interventions that are both cost-effective and feasible. The plan includes some important building blocks already in place, including vaccination against hepatitis B. Most notably, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) improves patient access to viral hepatitis services through education, testing, vaccination and referral. Moreover, the ACA encourages state-based Medicaid programs to cover clinical preventive services such as immunization. Other strategies aim to raise public awareness about viral hepatitis and to create more opportunities to train health professionals to diagnose, treat and ultimately prevent more people from getting this disease.
We hope that these and other commitments will catalyze action for further progress. On the global front, the World Health Organization has designated July 28 as the first annual World Hepatitis Day. Such attention is long overdue for a condition that affects one in 12 persons worldwide. These new beginnings can shine a bright light on a disease that has lingered for too long in the shadows.
As a nation and as part of a global society, it is time to break the silence. Too many are suffering and the consequences affect us all. Together, we must finally sound the alarm that can serve as a call to action to end this silent epidemic.
Rep Mike Honda is Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Follow Rep Honda on Facebook and Twitter. Dr. Howard K. Koh is the Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Follow Rep. Mike Honda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/repmikehonda
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-mike-honda/world-hepatitis-day_b_872471.html
Monday, May 23, 2011
You can listen to replay of FDA Teleconference on Boceprevir and Telaprevir
FDA Teleconference Monday, May 23rd
I know many of you have questions about both these medications. I think if you take 50+ minutes and listen to the replay of the teleconference you will find most of your answers. It will only be available for 30 days so please take advantage of this opportunity. To hear the replay, callers can dial 888-324-7513.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Colleague,
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) invites you to participate in a teleconference briefing to discuss two Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs) for the treatment of hepatitis C, boceprevir and telaprevir, that were discussed at an April 27 -28, 2011 meeting of the FDA Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee. DAAs represent a significant addition to the treatment approach for many patients. However, the dosing regimens may be complex, and there are treatment issues about which health care providers and patients should be aware.
The teleconference will be held on Monday, May 23, 2011 from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM EDT.
Following a brief introduction by Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, the briefing will provide an overview of the clinical trials, primary efficacy, safety, and complexity of dosing regimens. The briefing will consist of presentations by Debra Birnkrant, M.D, Director, and Jeffery Murray, Deputy Director, Division of Antiviral Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), followed by an opportunity for questions from call participants. The briefing will be moderated by Richard Klein, FDA Office of Special Health Issues.
A replay will be available for 30 days, beginning approximately one hour after the briefing call ends. To hear the replay, callers can dial 888-324-7513.
I know many of you have questions about both these medications. I think if you take 50+ minutes and listen to the replay of the teleconference you will find most of your answers. It will only be available for 30 days so please take advantage of this opportunity. To hear the replay, callers can dial 888-324-7513.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Colleague,
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) invites you to participate in a teleconference briefing to discuss two Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs) for the treatment of hepatitis C, boceprevir and telaprevir, that were discussed at an April 27 -28, 2011 meeting of the FDA Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee. DAAs represent a significant addition to the treatment approach for many patients. However, the dosing regimens may be complex, and there are treatment issues about which health care providers and patients should be aware.
The teleconference will be held on Monday, May 23, 2011 from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM EDT.
Following a brief introduction by Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, the briefing will provide an overview of the clinical trials, primary efficacy, safety, and complexity of dosing regimens. The briefing will consist of presentations by Debra Birnkrant, M.D, Director, and Jeffery Murray, Deputy Director, Division of Antiviral Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), followed by an opportunity for questions from call participants. The briefing will be moderated by Richard Klein, FDA Office of Special Health Issues.
A replay will be available for 30 days, beginning approximately one hour after the briefing call ends. To hear the replay, callers can dial 888-324-7513.
FDA OKs Telaprevir for Hep C
FDA OKs Telaprevir for Hep C
WASHINGTON -- The FDA has approved telaprevir (Incivek) for treatment of hepatitis C genotype 1, making it the second new protease inhibitor to win agency approval for the condition this month.
Hepatitis C affects some three to four million people in the U.S.; about two-thirds have genotype 1.
The approval was all but certain after an FDA advisory committee unanimously endorsed telaprevir, made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, in April. On May 13, the agency announced it is approving Merck's boceprevir (Victrelis).
Telaprevir and boceprevir work by targeting the virus directly; the current standard treatment regimen of pegylated interferon and ribavirin works instead by boosting patients' immune responses.
Both telaprevir and boceprevir are indicated as add-on treatment to pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
Telaprevir comes in pill form and is taken three times a day for 12 weeks, with peginterferon and ribavirin at standard doses for 24 or 48 weeks, depending on virologic response.
Adding a protease inhibitor to peginterferon and ribavirin is expected to become the new standard of care for HCV genotype 1 patients.
About half of patients treated with the standard peginterferon and ribavirin combo achieve sustained viral responses. The telaprevir trials indicated that adding the protease inhibitor could boost the sustained response rate above 70%, to as much as 90%, in patients who had never been treated for HCV, according to results from one study.
"With the approval of Incivek, there are now two important new treatment options for hepatitis C that offer a greater chance at a cure for some patients with this serious condition," said Edward Cox, MD, MPH, director of the FDA's Office of Antimicrobial Products.
"The availability of new therapies that significantly increase responses while potentially decreasing the overall duration of treatment is a major step forward in the battle against chronic hepatitis C infection," Cox said.
The FDA advisory panel that reviewed telaprevir was extremely confident that the drug works but was concerned about an increased incidence of serious and life-threatening skin reactions, including three cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in patients who took telaprevir.
More than half of patients receiving the drug reported rash or pruritus, with 6% discontinuing treatment as a result. These rates were about double those in the control groups.
Vertex assured the panel that those side effects are generally manageable and resolve after the drug is stopped.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/GeneralInfectiousDisease/26638
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Telaprevir Patient Assistance Program
Helping People with Hepatitis C Get INCIVEK
The people who work at Vertex understand that medicines can only help patients who can get them. With that in mind, the company today introduced a comprehensive financial assistance and patient support program to help people get INCIVEK who might not otherwise be able to afford it. The program will help people with hepatitis C learn about insurance benefits for their medicines, give INCIVEK for free to eligible patients who do not have insurance and provide coverage for co-pay or co-insurance costs associated with INCIVEK for people who meet certain program criteria.
Additionally, patients will have access to nurses through a 24-7 hotline by which they can receive support, guidance and educational materials about hepatitis C and its treatment. Vertex will also provide nurses and doctors with educational tools and resources so they can offer support and care to people with hepatitis C before, during and after the treatment process.
For eligible patients, the program includes the following:
Insurance Benefits Research and Support: Vertex case managers will research patients' insurance benefits for INCIVEK combination treatment, assist people with insurance appeals and help guide them to other forms of financial support, including Vertex's free medicine and co-pay programs;
Free Medicine Program: Vertex will give INCIVEK for free to people who do not have insurance and have an annual household income of $100,000 or less; and
Co-Pay Support: Vertex will cover co-pay or co-insurance costs up to 20 percent of the total cost of INCIVEK for people who have private insurance plans that cover INCIVEK, regardless of their household income. For people covered by government insurance, Vertex will also make donations to the independent, non-profit Patient Access Network Foundation, which has a fund to provide co-pay support to people taking hepatitis C medicines.
More information about this program is available by calling 1-855-837-8394 or visiting www.INCIVEK.com
WASHINGTON -- The FDA has approved telaprevir (Incivek) for treatment of hepatitis C genotype 1, making it the second new protease inhibitor to win agency approval for the condition this month.
Hepatitis C affects some three to four million people in the U.S.; about two-thirds have genotype 1.
The approval was all but certain after an FDA advisory committee unanimously endorsed telaprevir, made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, in April. On May 13, the agency announced it is approving Merck's boceprevir (Victrelis).
Telaprevir and boceprevir work by targeting the virus directly; the current standard treatment regimen of pegylated interferon and ribavirin works instead by boosting patients' immune responses.
Both telaprevir and boceprevir are indicated as add-on treatment to pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
Telaprevir comes in pill form and is taken three times a day for 12 weeks, with peginterferon and ribavirin at standard doses for 24 or 48 weeks, depending on virologic response.
Adding a protease inhibitor to peginterferon and ribavirin is expected to become the new standard of care for HCV genotype 1 patients.
About half of patients treated with the standard peginterferon and ribavirin combo achieve sustained viral responses. The telaprevir trials indicated that adding the protease inhibitor could boost the sustained response rate above 70%, to as much as 90%, in patients who had never been treated for HCV, according to results from one study.
"With the approval of Incivek, there are now two important new treatment options for hepatitis C that offer a greater chance at a cure for some patients with this serious condition," said Edward Cox, MD, MPH, director of the FDA's Office of Antimicrobial Products.
"The availability of new therapies that significantly increase responses while potentially decreasing the overall duration of treatment is a major step forward in the battle against chronic hepatitis C infection," Cox said.
The FDA advisory panel that reviewed telaprevir was extremely confident that the drug works but was concerned about an increased incidence of serious and life-threatening skin reactions, including three cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in patients who took telaprevir.
More than half of patients receiving the drug reported rash or pruritus, with 6% discontinuing treatment as a result. These rates were about double those in the control groups.
Vertex assured the panel that those side effects are generally manageable and resolve after the drug is stopped.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/GeneralInfectiousDisease/26638
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Telaprevir Patient Assistance Program
Helping People with Hepatitis C Get INCIVEK
The people who work at Vertex understand that medicines can only help patients who can get them. With that in mind, the company today introduced a comprehensive financial assistance and patient support program to help people get INCIVEK who might not otherwise be able to afford it. The program will help people with hepatitis C learn about insurance benefits for their medicines, give INCIVEK for free to eligible patients who do not have insurance and provide coverage for co-pay or co-insurance costs associated with INCIVEK for people who meet certain program criteria.
Additionally, patients will have access to nurses through a 24-7 hotline by which they can receive support, guidance and educational materials about hepatitis C and its treatment. Vertex will also provide nurses and doctors with educational tools and resources so they can offer support and care to people with hepatitis C before, during and after the treatment process.
For eligible patients, the program includes the following:
Insurance Benefits Research and Support: Vertex case managers will research patients' insurance benefits for INCIVEK combination treatment, assist people with insurance appeals and help guide them to other forms of financial support, including Vertex's free medicine and co-pay programs;
Free Medicine Program: Vertex will give INCIVEK for free to people who do not have insurance and have an annual household income of $100,000 or less; and
Co-Pay Support: Vertex will cover co-pay or co-insurance costs up to 20 percent of the total cost of INCIVEK for people who have private insurance plans that cover INCIVEK, regardless of their household income. For people covered by government insurance, Vertex will also make donations to the independent, non-profit Patient Access Network Foundation, which has a fund to provide co-pay support to people taking hepatitis C medicines.
More information about this program is available by calling 1-855-837-8394 or visiting www.INCIVEK.com
Friday, May 13, 2011
Boceprevir Wins FDA Approval to Treat Hepatitis C
By Emily P. Walker, Washington Correspondent, MedPage Today
Published: May 13, 2011
WASHINGTON -- The FDA has approved the investigational drug boceprevir (Victrelis), to be used in combination with peginterferon and ribavirin, to treat hepatitis C genotype 1.
Boceprevir, made by Merck, will be the first HCV protease inhibitor to reach market and is expected to be a major advance in treating the disease, which affects between three and four million people in U.S.
"Victrelis is an important new advance for patients with hepatitis C," said Edward Cox, MD, MPH, director of antimicrobial products at the FDA in a press release. "This new medication provides an effective treatment for a serious disease, and offers a greater chance of cure for some patients' hepatitis C infection compared to currently available therapy."
The move was expected after a committee of outside experts voted unanimously in April that the FDA should approve the drug.
The panelists all agreed that boceprevir seems to be a safe and effective new option to treat HCV.
The approval was based on Merck's clinical trials, which showed that, in the difficult-to-treat genotype 1 patients, boceprevir yielded sustained virological response rates as high as 67%.
In contrast, the rate for patients getting the standard regimen of pegylated interferon injections and ribavirin pills was about 40%.
Until now, treatment has relied on boosting the immune system rather than attacking the virus directly.
One panelist at the April meeting marveled at how far HCV treatment has come in the past several decades and said achieving a 60% or 70% sustained response "seems like a dream come true."
The drug carries a number of hematologic side effects, including anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. But the advisory committee members said the anemia is a manageable side effect during treatment and is reversible after the drug has been stopped.
The FDA is widely expected to approve another protease inhibitor for HCV, telaprevir, made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The same panel that endorsed boceprevir also voted unanimously that telaprevir be approved for the same indication.
Merck said it planned to begin shipping the drug next week.
Eliav Barr, MD, vice president of infectious diseases for Merck, told MedPage Today that about 70% of the estimated four million HCV patients in the U.S. will be candidates for treatment with the drug.
He cautioned that patients must, however, undergo four weeks of peginterferon/ribavirin treatment before initiating boceprevir.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/Hepatitis/26469?utm_source=breaking-news&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breaking-news
By Emily P. Walker, Washington Correspondent, MedPage Today
Published: May 13, 2011
WASHINGTON -- The FDA has approved the investigational drug boceprevir (Victrelis), to be used in combination with peginterferon and ribavirin, to treat hepatitis C genotype 1.
Boceprevir, made by Merck, will be the first HCV protease inhibitor to reach market and is expected to be a major advance in treating the disease, which affects between three and four million people in U.S.
"Victrelis is an important new advance for patients with hepatitis C," said Edward Cox, MD, MPH, director of antimicrobial products at the FDA in a press release. "This new medication provides an effective treatment for a serious disease, and offers a greater chance of cure for some patients' hepatitis C infection compared to currently available therapy."
The move was expected after a committee of outside experts voted unanimously in April that the FDA should approve the drug.
The panelists all agreed that boceprevir seems to be a safe and effective new option to treat HCV.
The approval was based on Merck's clinical trials, which showed that, in the difficult-to-treat genotype 1 patients, boceprevir yielded sustained virological response rates as high as 67%.
In contrast, the rate for patients getting the standard regimen of pegylated interferon injections and ribavirin pills was about 40%.
Until now, treatment has relied on boosting the immune system rather than attacking the virus directly.
One panelist at the April meeting marveled at how far HCV treatment has come in the past several decades and said achieving a 60% or 70% sustained response "seems like a dream come true."
The drug carries a number of hematologic side effects, including anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. But the advisory committee members said the anemia is a manageable side effect during treatment and is reversible after the drug has been stopped.
The FDA is widely expected to approve another protease inhibitor for HCV, telaprevir, made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The same panel that endorsed boceprevir also voted unanimously that telaprevir be approved for the same indication.
Merck said it planned to begin shipping the drug next week.
Eliav Barr, MD, vice president of infectious diseases for Merck, told MedPage Today that about 70% of the estimated four million HCV patients in the U.S. will be candidates for treatment with the drug.
He cautioned that patients must, however, undergo four weeks of peginterferon/ribavirin treatment before initiating boceprevir.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/Hepatitis/26469?utm_source=breaking-news&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breaking-news
NVHR Commends New HHS Plan for the Prevention and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis
Press Release - NVHR Commends New HHS Plan for the Prevention and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis
May 12, 2011
Contact: Martha Saly
707.480.0596 – mbsaly@nvhr.org
NVHR Commends New HHS Plan for the Prevention and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis
A new Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) action plan for viral hepatitis takes the much needed step of establishing a roadmap to help improve response to this growing health problem. The HHS Action Plan for the Prevention and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis, released today by Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard Koh, follows a 2010 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, Hepatitis and Liver Cancer: A National Strategy for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis B and C. The IOM report found a troubling lack of knowledge about the devastating impact of this disease among health care and social services providers, at-risk populations, the general public and policymakers. The IOM report was commissioned in part by the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR).
“The release of the HHS Action Plan offers a tremendous opportunity to change the course of the viral hepatitis epidemic in the U.S.,” said Martha Saly , Director of the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR), “However, this plan will only be effective if the Administration strongly supports its implementation and Congress demonstrates leadership by increasing resources for prevention, education, care and treatment services for Americans, especially vulnerable and underserved populations, who are most at risk for viral hepatitis infections and their consequences.”
The CDC estimates that, 65% of people infected with hepatitis B and 75% of people infected with hepatitis C do not know that they have the disease, yet 1 in 12 Asian/Pacific Islander Americans is living with hepatitis B and African Americans are twice as likely to be infected with hepatitis C as the general population.
“With limited funds available for viral hepatitis, our nation does a poor job of screening and early intervention,” Saly said, noting that “most infected individuals only become aware of their condition after it has progressed to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. That is not only a tragedy for those afflicted, but it also winds up costing much more money for our health care system.”
NVHR has prioritized viral hepatitis and liver cancer screening, along with tackling health disparities and barriers to care among Asian Americans, African Americans and other disproportionately affected populations; strengthening prevention efforts to confront a new wave of infections do to heroin use; and improving viral hepatitis services at community health centers as areas where the Federal Government can make an immediate impact on the burden of viral hepatitis in the United States.
NVHR is a coalition of more than 170 public, private and voluntary organizations dedicated to reducing the incidence of infection, morbidity and mortality from viral hepatitis in the United States. www.nvhr.org
COMBATING THE SILENT EPIDEMIC of VIRAL HEPATITIS
Action Plan for the Prevention, Care & Treatment of Viral Hepatitis
Just click on this link:
http://nvhr.org/sites/default/files/Viral-Hepatitis-Action-plan-2011.pdf
You can also find the link on the NVHR Home page at:
www.nvhr.org
May 12, 2011
Contact: Martha Saly
707.480.0596 – mbsaly@nvhr.org
NVHR Commends New HHS Plan for the Prevention and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis
A new Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) action plan for viral hepatitis takes the much needed step of establishing a roadmap to help improve response to this growing health problem. The HHS Action Plan for the Prevention and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis, released today by Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard Koh, follows a 2010 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, Hepatitis and Liver Cancer: A National Strategy for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis B and C. The IOM report found a troubling lack of knowledge about the devastating impact of this disease among health care and social services providers, at-risk populations, the general public and policymakers. The IOM report was commissioned in part by the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR).
“The release of the HHS Action Plan offers a tremendous opportunity to change the course of the viral hepatitis epidemic in the U.S.,” said Martha Saly , Director of the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR), “However, this plan will only be effective if the Administration strongly supports its implementation and Congress demonstrates leadership by increasing resources for prevention, education, care and treatment services for Americans, especially vulnerable and underserved populations, who are most at risk for viral hepatitis infections and their consequences.”
The CDC estimates that, 65% of people infected with hepatitis B and 75% of people infected with hepatitis C do not know that they have the disease, yet 1 in 12 Asian/Pacific Islander Americans is living with hepatitis B and African Americans are twice as likely to be infected with hepatitis C as the general population.
“With limited funds available for viral hepatitis, our nation does a poor job of screening and early intervention,” Saly said, noting that “most infected individuals only become aware of their condition after it has progressed to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. That is not only a tragedy for those afflicted, but it also winds up costing much more money for our health care system.”
NVHR has prioritized viral hepatitis and liver cancer screening, along with tackling health disparities and barriers to care among Asian Americans, African Americans and other disproportionately affected populations; strengthening prevention efforts to confront a new wave of infections do to heroin use; and improving viral hepatitis services at community health centers as areas where the Federal Government can make an immediate impact on the burden of viral hepatitis in the United States.
NVHR is a coalition of more than 170 public, private and voluntary organizations dedicated to reducing the incidence of infection, morbidity and mortality from viral hepatitis in the United States. www.nvhr.org
COMBATING THE SILENT EPIDEMIC of VIRAL HEPATITIS
Action Plan for the Prevention, Care & Treatment of Viral Hepatitis
Just click on this link:
http://nvhr.org/sites/default/files/Viral-Hepatitis-Action-plan-2011.pdf
You can also find the link on the NVHR Home page at:
www.nvhr.org
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
May 12th Webinar for the Viral Hepatitis Action Plan!!!!
Each May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its U.S. public health partners observe Hepatitis Awareness Month. Viral hepatitis affects an estimated 4.4 million people in the United States. To further increase awareness and improve the health outcomes of Americans, Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Howard K. Koh, will release the report, Combating the Silent Epidemic: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Action Plan for the Prevention and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis on Thursday, May 12, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. ET, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The press club event will be webcast live at: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/hepatitisplan
This Viral Hepatitis Action Plan—which was developed by an interagency working group in collaboration with professional societies, community-based organizations, and other members of the public—was created to address gaps in current viral hepatitis efforts as identified by the Institute of Medicine in its 2010 report on viral hepatitis and liver cancer. To facilitate significant progress in preventing and controlling viral hepatitis, the Viral Hepatitis Action Plan outlines specific goals, strategies, and actions to be undertaken by designated HHS agencies within a defined period of time. Partners also will continue to be engaged as the plan is implemented.
Successfully combating the silent epidemic of viral hepatitis will require collective action. CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) works to integrate prevention opportunities, as persons at risk of acquiring hepatitis are often at risk of acquiring other NCHHSTP focus diseases. This type of collaboration is particularly important for viral hepatitis prevention; several of the populations hardest hit by viral hepatitis are also disproportionately affected by HIV—presenting multiple opportunities for integrating proven interventions. Together, we can take critical, concrete steps towards preventing viral hepatitis infections and improving the health of millions of infected Americans.
To learn more about the Viral Hepatitis Action Plan or Hepatitis Awareness Month, visit the Viral Hepatitis Web site and follow CDC's viral hepatitis Twitter account @CDChep.
This Viral Hepatitis Action Plan—which was developed by an interagency working group in collaboration with professional societies, community-based organizations, and other members of the public—was created to address gaps in current viral hepatitis efforts as identified by the Institute of Medicine in its 2010 report on viral hepatitis and liver cancer. To facilitate significant progress in preventing and controlling viral hepatitis, the Viral Hepatitis Action Plan outlines specific goals, strategies, and actions to be undertaken by designated HHS agencies within a defined period of time. Partners also will continue to be engaged as the plan is implemented.
Successfully combating the silent epidemic of viral hepatitis will require collective action. CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) works to integrate prevention opportunities, as persons at risk of acquiring hepatitis are often at risk of acquiring other NCHHSTP focus diseases. This type of collaboration is particularly important for viral hepatitis prevention; several of the populations hardest hit by viral hepatitis are also disproportionately affected by HIV—presenting multiple opportunities for integrating proven interventions. Together, we can take critical, concrete steps towards preventing viral hepatitis infections and improving the health of millions of infected Americans.
To learn more about the Viral Hepatitis Action Plan or Hepatitis Awareness Month, visit the Viral Hepatitis Web site and follow CDC's viral hepatitis Twitter account @CDChep.
Monday, May 9, 2011
My Birthday Wish (63 this year and holding - about 40+ years with the dragon!)
My Birthday Wish (63 this year and holding - about 40+ years with the dragon!)
Bulletin from the cause: Hepatitis Education Awareness and Liver Support
Go to Cause on Facebook http://www.causes.com/causes/192539
Posted By: PS Pam
To: Members in Hepatitis Education Awareness and Liver Support
My Birthday Wish (63 this year and holding - about 40+ years with the dragon!)
Hello, and thanks for checking out my Birthday Wish!
For my birthday on May 22nd, I'm asking my friends and family for a special gift: help me raise $1000 for Hepatitis Education Awareness and Liver Support. It's a great cause that educates, supports and advocates for Hepatitis - especially Hepatitis C!
I chose Hepatitis Education Awareness and Liver Support because we need help to educate and advocate wherever and whenever we can!
Please consider giving to my Birthday Wish, and together we can destigmatize Hep C, educate the general public about Hep C and why it is so important to get tested and seek medical advice for possible treatment! If you can't give now, I'd really appreciate if you'd share this page with your friends.
Thanks so much,
PSPam
http://www.HEALSoftheSouth.org has a PayPal button or http://www.causes.com/causes/192539
Call to Action
Fundraising Project: H E A L S OF THE SOUTH INC
Donate
Bulletin from the cause: Hepatitis Education Awareness and Liver Support
Go to Cause on Facebook http://www.causes.com/causes/192539
Posted By: PS Pam
To: Members in Hepatitis Education Awareness and Liver Support
My Birthday Wish (63 this year and holding - about 40+ years with the dragon!)
Hello, and thanks for checking out my Birthday Wish!
For my birthday on May 22nd, I'm asking my friends and family for a special gift: help me raise $1000 for Hepatitis Education Awareness and Liver Support. It's a great cause that educates, supports and advocates for Hepatitis - especially Hepatitis C!
I chose Hepatitis Education Awareness and Liver Support because we need help to educate and advocate wherever and whenever we can!
Please consider giving to my Birthday Wish, and together we can destigmatize Hep C, educate the general public about Hep C and why it is so important to get tested and seek medical advice for possible treatment! If you can't give now, I'd really appreciate if you'd share this page with your friends.
Thanks so much,
PSPam
http://www.HEALSoftheSouth.org has a PayPal button or http://www.causes.com/causes/192539
Call to Action
Fundraising Project: H E A L S OF THE SOUTH INC
Donate
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Hepatitis C - The Basics
Hepatitis C - The Basics
New Video from Vertex
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=hepctv
New website from Vertex
http://www.bettertoknowc.com/
New Video from Vertex
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=hepctv
New website from Vertex
http://www.bettertoknowc.com/
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Join me for WEGO Health’s Webinar: Navigating Your Health Narrative!
Hi fellow Hepatitis C advocates! Please join me for WEGO Health’s Webinar: Navigating Your Health Narrative!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can register for WEGO Health’s exciting new webinar too so I wanted to share with everyone. Here are the particulars:
What: Navigating Your Health Narrative Webinar
Who: Health Activist Panel with Lisa E, Erin B, Jenni P, and Amanda D
When: Thursday April 21st 8pm EST (the webinar will last one hour)
Where: Sign up here http://info.wegohealth.com/navigating_your_health_narrative/?source=health_blogger_contest_invite
and you’ll get all the details
The webinar is for anyone from seasoned bloggers to blog-readers who want to start their own blog. The webinar will cover the basics of blogging and include more advanced tips and tricks for promoting posts, managing your time, and establishing your blog “voice” and how to raise awareness about your condition through blogging.
By signing up you’ll also have a chance to ask specific questions for the Health Activist panel that will be answered during the live Q&A portion of the webinar. You’ll get access to the archived version of the webinar!
Please help me spread the word to the Hepatitis C Community!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can register for WEGO Health’s exciting new webinar too so I wanted to share with everyone. Here are the particulars:
What: Navigating Your Health Narrative Webinar
Who: Health Activist Panel with Lisa E, Erin B, Jenni P, and Amanda D
When: Thursday April 21st 8pm EST (the webinar will last one hour)
Where: Sign up here http://info.wegohealth.com/navigating_your_health_narrative/?source=health_blogger_contest_invite
and you’ll get all the details
The webinar is for anyone from seasoned bloggers to blog-readers who want to start their own blog. The webinar will cover the basics of blogging and include more advanced tips and tricks for promoting posts, managing your time, and establishing your blog “voice” and how to raise awareness about your condition through blogging.
By signing up you’ll also have a chance to ask specific questions for the Health Activist panel that will be answered during the live Q&A portion of the webinar. You’ll get access to the archived version of the webinar!
Please help me spread the word to the Hepatitis C Community!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Hepatitis Health Action! The Hepatitis Community Responds to Health Care Reform
Hepatitis Health Action!
The Hepatitis Community Responds to Health Care Reform
Action Alert!
Prevention Funding in Health Care Reform Under Attack
Tell Your Representative to Vote NO on H.R. 1217
On April 5th, Republicans in the House of Representatives continued their assault on the Affordable Care Act when the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted along partisan lines in favor of H.R. 1217, which would repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund. This fund, part of the health care reform law, provides money each year for vital prevention and public health services. The fund will grow each year until it eventually provides $2 billion/year.
This fund offers a great opportunity for us to get some of the money targeted to viral hepatitis prevention, screening, and testing programs. How can we advocate for that money if the entire fund is repealed. We also must protect this fund as part of defeating the ongoing strategy by those who oppose the Affordable Care Act to attack the law by repealing and defunding its important pieces.
The full House of Representatives is expected to vote on H.R. 1217 as early as this week. Please take a few minutes to call your Representative and tell him/her to vote NO.
What YOU can DO:
Please call your U.S. House Representative immediately. We are hearing directly from Congressional staff that phone calls are the most effective form of communication.
Call the Capitol Switchboard toll-free at 1-888-876-6242 and ask to be connected to your Representative. When you reach your Representative’s office, tell whoever answers the phone that you are a constituent and that you would like to speak to the staff person who handles health care issues. Whether you speak to the staff person live or leave a voicemail, tell him/her:
“My name is _______________ and I live in (city/state). I am calling to urge Representative ____________ to vote no on H.R. 1217. This bill would repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which is an important part of the Affordable Care Act. This Fund is a great opportunity to provide badly needed funding for viral hepatitis prevention, testing, and screening programs and must be preserved.”
Thank you for taking the time to make a difference! Please spread the word.
Get involved with Hepatitis Health Action!
· Sign up for the Hepatitis Health Action email list by visiting http://groups.google.com/group/HepHealth or, email Christina at cchun@projectinform.org and we will make sure you are added.
· Join Hepatitis Health Action’s Facebook group: http://tinyurl.com/hephealthfacebook where you can participate in discussions with other advocates and share your ideas and strategies.
· Follow Hepatitis Health Action’s blog for news and commentary: http://hephealthaction.wordpress.com
Hepatitis Health Action is a new campaign led by viral hepatitis advocates working to make sure that health care reform addresses hepatitis B and C.
Martha Saly
Director
National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable
707-480-0596
www.nvhr.org
The National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable is a coalition of public, private and voluntary organizations dedicated to reducing the incidence of infection, morbidity and mortality from viral hepatitis in the United States
The Hepatitis Community Responds to Health Care Reform
Action Alert!
Prevention Funding in Health Care Reform Under Attack
Tell Your Representative to Vote NO on H.R. 1217
On April 5th, Republicans in the House of Representatives continued their assault on the Affordable Care Act when the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted along partisan lines in favor of H.R. 1217, which would repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund. This fund, part of the health care reform law, provides money each year for vital prevention and public health services. The fund will grow each year until it eventually provides $2 billion/year.
This fund offers a great opportunity for us to get some of the money targeted to viral hepatitis prevention, screening, and testing programs. How can we advocate for that money if the entire fund is repealed. We also must protect this fund as part of defeating the ongoing strategy by those who oppose the Affordable Care Act to attack the law by repealing and defunding its important pieces.
The full House of Representatives is expected to vote on H.R. 1217 as early as this week. Please take a few minutes to call your Representative and tell him/her to vote NO.
What YOU can DO:
Please call your U.S. House Representative immediately. We are hearing directly from Congressional staff that phone calls are the most effective form of communication.
Call the Capitol Switchboard toll-free at 1-888-876-6242 and ask to be connected to your Representative. When you reach your Representative’s office, tell whoever answers the phone that you are a constituent and that you would like to speak to the staff person who handles health care issues. Whether you speak to the staff person live or leave a voicemail, tell him/her:
“My name is _______________ and I live in (city/state). I am calling to urge Representative ____________ to vote no on H.R. 1217. This bill would repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which is an important part of the Affordable Care Act. This Fund is a great opportunity to provide badly needed funding for viral hepatitis prevention, testing, and screening programs and must be preserved.”
Thank you for taking the time to make a difference! Please spread the word.
Get involved with Hepatitis Health Action!
· Sign up for the Hepatitis Health Action email list by visiting http://groups.google.com/group/HepHealth or, email Christina at cchun@projectinform.org and we will make sure you are added.
· Join Hepatitis Health Action’s Facebook group: http://tinyurl.com/hephealthfacebook where you can participate in discussions with other advocates and share your ideas and strategies.
· Follow Hepatitis Health Action’s blog for news and commentary: http://hephealthaction.wordpress.com
Hepatitis Health Action is a new campaign led by viral hepatitis advocates working to make sure that health care reform addresses hepatitis B and C.
Martha Saly
Director
National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable
707-480-0596
www.nvhr.org
The National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable is a coalition of public, private and voluntary organizations dedicated to reducing the incidence of infection, morbidity and mortality from viral hepatitis in the United States
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Quadruple therapy shows 100 percent SVR for HCV patients previously unresponsive to treatment
Quadruple therapy shows 100 percent SVR for HCV patients previously unresponsive to treatment
Is this treatment approach the next HCV therapy frontier?
Berlin, Germany, Saturday 02 April 2011: Exciting new data presented today at the International Liver CongressTM 2011 show that quadruple therapy in chronic hepatitis C (HCV) patients suppressed the emergence of resistant variants and resulted in a 100% rate of sustained virological response - undetectable HCV RNA - 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12).1
In the quadruple therapy study, HCV patients were given four drugs in combination; pegylated Interferon-alpha (PegIFN-alpha); ribavirin (RBV); and two different direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) BMS-650032 (an HCV NS3 protease inhibitor) and BMS-790052 (an HCV NS5A replication complex inhibitor).
The current standard of care (SoC) for HCV therapy is PegIFN-alpha plus RBV – a dual therapy. The addition of DAAs (currently in phase-III clinical trials) marks the next step in treatment evolution – a triple therapy. However, the new data presented today suggests that quadruple therapy could be the next generation of treatment for chronic HCV patients.
Professor Heiner Wedemeyer, EASL'S Secretary General, said: "Quadruple therapy is possibly the future of HCV treatment; this study goes a way to confirming that. While it's expected that the first DAAs and triple therapy will be approved for use later this year, quadruple therapy appears to have a more profound effect on virological response, with less of a resistance problem."
The study may also provide new hope for a growing number of HCV patients who cannot be effectively treated for chronic hepatitis with current treatments.
The Phase-IIa trial looked at a cohort of 21 HCV genotype 1 null responders (patients who have failed to respond to previous treatment), of whom 19 had an unfavourable IL28B genotype, which predisposes HCV patients to treatment failure.
Only about 30% of null responders to PegIFN-alpha/RBV treatment achieve sustained virological response (SVR) when retreated with PegIFN-alpha/RBV plus telaprevir, demonstrating a high unmet medical need.1
References
1. Lok A et al. Quadruple therapy with BMS-790052, BMS-650032 and peg-IFNRBV for 24 weeks results in 100% SVR12 in HCV genotype 1 null responders. Abstract presented at The International Liver CongressTM 2011. http://www1.easl.eu/easl2011/program/Orals/418.htm
http://hcvadvocate.blogspot.com/2011/04/quadruple-therapy-shows-100-percent-svr.html
Is this treatment approach the next HCV therapy frontier?
Berlin, Germany, Saturday 02 April 2011: Exciting new data presented today at the International Liver CongressTM 2011 show that quadruple therapy in chronic hepatitis C (HCV) patients suppressed the emergence of resistant variants and resulted in a 100% rate of sustained virological response - undetectable HCV RNA - 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12).1
In the quadruple therapy study, HCV patients were given four drugs in combination; pegylated Interferon-alpha (PegIFN-alpha); ribavirin (RBV); and two different direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) BMS-650032 (an HCV NS3 protease inhibitor) and BMS-790052 (an HCV NS5A replication complex inhibitor).
The current standard of care (SoC) for HCV therapy is PegIFN-alpha plus RBV – a dual therapy. The addition of DAAs (currently in phase-III clinical trials) marks the next step in treatment evolution – a triple therapy. However, the new data presented today suggests that quadruple therapy could be the next generation of treatment for chronic HCV patients.
Professor Heiner Wedemeyer, EASL'S Secretary General, said: "Quadruple therapy is possibly the future of HCV treatment; this study goes a way to confirming that. While it's expected that the first DAAs and triple therapy will be approved for use later this year, quadruple therapy appears to have a more profound effect on virological response, with less of a resistance problem."
The study may also provide new hope for a growing number of HCV patients who cannot be effectively treated for chronic hepatitis with current treatments.
The Phase-IIa trial looked at a cohort of 21 HCV genotype 1 null responders (patients who have failed to respond to previous treatment), of whom 19 had an unfavourable IL28B genotype, which predisposes HCV patients to treatment failure.
Only about 30% of null responders to PegIFN-alpha/RBV treatment achieve sustained virological response (SVR) when retreated with PegIFN-alpha/RBV plus telaprevir, demonstrating a high unmet medical need.1
References
1. Lok A et al. Quadruple therapy with BMS-790052, BMS-650032 and peg-IFNRBV for 24 weeks results in 100% SVR12 in HCV genotype 1 null responders. Abstract presented at The International Liver CongressTM 2011. http://www1.easl.eu/easl2011/program/Orals/418.htm
http://hcvadvocate.blogspot.com/2011/04/quadruple-therapy-shows-100-percent-svr.html
Friday, February 18, 2011
NVHR: Administration's 2012 Budget Proposal Represents 'Sea Change'
PRESS RELEASE
February 14, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Martha Saly
mbsaly@nvhr.org
www.NVHR.org
NVHR: Administration's 2012 Budget Proposal Represents 'Sea Change' Budget Proposal Calls for $5 Million Increase
For State-based Surveillance, Screening & Treatment Programs
In National Response to Viral Hepatitis Epidemic
Washington, DC-The Administration's 2012 budget proposal to increase federal funding for expanded state and locally based viral hepatitis surveillance, screening, and treatment by more than $5 million heralds a sea change in our nation's national strategy to respond to the viral hepatitis epidemic, the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR) said today.
"On behalf of more than 6 million Americans afflicted with viral hepatitis B and C, NVHR would like to say, 'Thank you, Mr. President," said NVHR Director Martha Saly. "With this budget proposal of $25 million, the Administration has recognized that early intervention and prevention are the cornerstones of an effective national viral hepatitis strategy. In the coming months, NVHR looks forward to working closely with the Administration and Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to make this proposal reality."
More than 6 million Americans are estimated to be afflicted with viral hepatitis and three-quarters of them don't know it. Most infected individuals only become aware of their disease after it has progressed to liver failure, cirrhosis, or liver cancer. With the vast majority of liver cancers caused by unchecked viral hepatitis, the Administration's increased funding proposal for early intervention and treatment promises to help reduce the incidence of liver cancer as well.
The Administration's budget proposal on viral hepatitis specifically states:
"CDC's FY 2012 request of $25,000,000 for VH reflects an increase of $5,222,000 above the FY 2010 level. With this increase, CDC will expand and strengthen surveillance capacity in 10 high burden state and local health departments to detect VH transmission, monitor health disparities and implementation and impact of recommended prevention services; develop and execute VH awareness and training programs for public health and clinical care professionals to implement and scale-up VH screening and care referral; and enhance work with global partners to implement VH surveillance and prevention programs in high burden countries."
The Administration's budget proposal is the first of many new expected developments on viral hepatitis in 2011. Next month, the US Department of Health & Human Services is expected to unveil a national strategy for the prevention of viral hepatitis and liver cancer. On Capitol Hill, bipartisan legislation that garnered support from over 70 House Members in the 111th Congress is expected to be introduced again. And this summer, two new drug therapies are expected to receive final approval from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) that will great enhance hepatitis C treatment.
www.nvhr.org
February 14, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Martha Saly
mbsaly@nvhr.org
www.NVHR.org
NVHR: Administration's 2012 Budget Proposal Represents 'Sea Change' Budget Proposal Calls for $5 Million Increase
For State-based Surveillance, Screening & Treatment Programs
In National Response to Viral Hepatitis Epidemic
Washington, DC-The Administration's 2012 budget proposal to increase federal funding for expanded state and locally based viral hepatitis surveillance, screening, and treatment by more than $5 million heralds a sea change in our nation's national strategy to respond to the viral hepatitis epidemic, the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR) said today.
"On behalf of more than 6 million Americans afflicted with viral hepatitis B and C, NVHR would like to say, 'Thank you, Mr. President," said NVHR Director Martha Saly. "With this budget proposal of $25 million, the Administration has recognized that early intervention and prevention are the cornerstones of an effective national viral hepatitis strategy. In the coming months, NVHR looks forward to working closely with the Administration and Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to make this proposal reality."
More than 6 million Americans are estimated to be afflicted with viral hepatitis and three-quarters of them don't know it. Most infected individuals only become aware of their disease after it has progressed to liver failure, cirrhosis, or liver cancer. With the vast majority of liver cancers caused by unchecked viral hepatitis, the Administration's increased funding proposal for early intervention and treatment promises to help reduce the incidence of liver cancer as well.
The Administration's budget proposal on viral hepatitis specifically states:
"CDC's FY 2012 request of $25,000,000 for VH reflects an increase of $5,222,000 above the FY 2010 level. With this increase, CDC will expand and strengthen surveillance capacity in 10 high burden state and local health departments to detect VH transmission, monitor health disparities and implementation and impact of recommended prevention services; develop and execute VH awareness and training programs for public health and clinical care professionals to implement and scale-up VH screening and care referral; and enhance work with global partners to implement VH surveillance and prevention programs in high burden countries."
The Administration's budget proposal is the first of many new expected developments on viral hepatitis in 2011. Next month, the US Department of Health & Human Services is expected to unveil a national strategy for the prevention of viral hepatitis and liver cancer. On Capitol Hill, bipartisan legislation that garnered support from over 70 House Members in the 111th Congress is expected to be introduced again. And this summer, two new drug therapies are expected to receive final approval from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) that will great enhance hepatitis C treatment.
www.nvhr.org
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