PLoS Medicine
(Accessed 14 March 2015)
http://www.plosmedicine.org/

Policy Forum
A Public Health Approach to Hepatitis C Control in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Amitabh B. Suthar, Anthony D. Harries
Published: March 10, 2015
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001795
Summary Points
:: New oral short-duration regimens using direct-acting antiviral medicines for hepatitis C virus (HCV) have the potential to facilitate treatment and improve outcomes.
:: Translating scientific advances into reduced disease burden requires well-designed programmes encompassing prevention, screening, treatment, and strategic information.
:: Engagement from countries, civil society, donors, and policymakers is needed to generate political commitment, mobilise resources, and reduce diagnostic and medicine costs for HCV.
:: Countries should estimate the resources required to implement planned HCV prevention, screening, and treatment strategies and their expected health, societal, and financial benefits to mobilise domestic and international funding.
:: Countries could integrate HCV prevention, screening, treatment, and strategic information into HIV/AIDS programmes for financial, infrastructural, and health workforce efficiencies.