Response To Announcement Of NHS England’s Plans To Be First In The World To Eliminate Hepatitis C

MAIDENHEAD, UK, January 28, 2017 – We welcome NHS England’s announcement of their plans towards the elimination of hepatitis C in England and we are encouraged to see a commitment being made for the long-term. This follows the lead of industry’s multi-billion investment in the development of curative treatments for patients, and also our work with partners to diagnose and find those that remain undiagnosed, estimated to be half of the 160,000 affected by hepatitis C in England. 

Since curative treatments became available in 2015, AbbVie has been seeking ways of making cure sustainable for the NHS and we continue to invest in advancing patient pathways and services, through collaborating with multilateral groups including patient organisations, drug & alcohol services and prisons. Sustained, long-term commitment to the funding of these elements is just as critical as the procurement of medicines if the NHS in England is to realise its ambitious vision to eliminate hepatitis C five years earlier than the World Health Organization’s 2030 goal; a goal which we support. 

We have been working closely and collaboratively with NHS England to build towards the elimination strategy and will continue to do so in order to find sustainable approaches to funding and increased access to treatments and services for all those affected by hepatitis C.

AXHCV180095 Date of preparation: January 2018