These prevention tools and approaches will also help prevent the contracting of other blood-borne diseases, such as HIV.
Hepatitis C is an infectious disease in which the virus is transmitted through the blood and which can lead to serious liver damage, including cancer, and prove fatal if left untreated.
According to the estimates of theOMS, globally, 58 million people have active hepatitis C virus infection, but only 21% of these people are screened and only 13% receive treatment. There are 1.5 million new infections with the hepatitis C virus each year.
Revolutionary advances in recent years have led to the development of highly effective and affordable hepatitis C treatments in most low- and middle-income countries.
However, lack of awareness and gaps in access to care are seriously hampering efforts to eradicate this disease, especially in communities where transmission rates are highest.
Although people who inject drugs represent only 10% of the 58 million people infected with the hepatitis C virus worldwide, 43% of new infections are due to injecting drug use.
Two products to prevent infections
UNITAID funding will support the integration of hepatitis C testing and treatment into harm reduction programs and will allow the testing of two products aimed at preventing infections: reduced dead space syringes as well as new formulations of long-acting buprenorphine.
Thus, in reduced dead space syringes, the reservoir that can contain blood after use is smaller than in normal syringes, which limits the risk of contracting blood-borne infections in the event of needle sharing.
Long-acting formulations of buprenorphine, a drug that helps reduce the effects of opioid dependence and withdrawal, could be a viable option for clients who find it difficult to access oral formulations of this drug on a daily basis. product due to, for example, high and non-refundable fees, harassment by law enforcement or acts of discrimination.
Except for limited use in Ukraine, long-acting buprenorphine is not available in any low- or middle-income country. And, although many countries have reduced dead space syringes, significant gaps in understanding and user preferences have severely impeded their adoption.
Hepatitis C can be transmitted by blood via contaminated equipment.
Underfunding
Of all people with hepatitis C, 80% live in low- and middle-income countries. People who have the most difficulty accessing health care are disproportionately affected by this disease.
Hepatitis C control and harm reduction efforts have so far been significantly underfunded, further marginalizing already vulnerable populations.
The investment made by UNITAID therefore represents a 20% increase in funding for risk reduction in low- and middle-income countries.
“By prioritizing risk reduction, we can ensure those most at risk can access the tools they need to protect themselves against hepatitis C and other blood-borne infections,” said said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of HIV, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) at WHO. “This investment will benefit not only the communities of people who inject drugs directly targeted by the various projects, but also public health in general”, commending UNITAID for its spirit of initiative and its commitment to equity in health.
Raising awareness of the need for screening
Through three complementary projects in a total of ten countries, Frontline AIDS, Médecins du Monde and PATH will work to ensure that those most at risk are made aware of the need for hepatitis C screening and receive quick and easy access to treatments.
These projects will also generate critical evidence to expand the use of reduced dead space syringes and long-acting buprenorphine, including gaining an understanding of user preferences, reducing costs, increase demand and ensure efficient distribution.
These two products will be tested in different facilities in South Africa, Egypt, India, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ukraine and Viet Nam. Reduced dead space syringes will be introduced on a trial basis in target facilities in two additional countries (Armenia and Georgia). The ten countries involved will integrate the provision of certain services into their harm reduction programmes.
Previous UNITAID projects in the fight against hepatitis C have contributed to lowering the costs of services, simplifying screening and diagnosis, demonstrating the effectiveness of strategies targeting at-risk populations and improving awareness. .
