Chennai: Hepatitis C, a blood-borne infection known to affect 1 in 100 people in the country and 130 to 180 million worldwide, is no more a stigma due to the introduction of more effective as well as affordable medicines, according to doctors.
Earlier, patients had to be given a weekly injection and daily tablets for six to 12 months, while the newest medicines-which are effective even in serious cases - can be taken orally for a short period of time, doctors say.
The new medicines which have been in use since early 2015, have helped bring down the burden of hepatitis C in the country. “About 85 percent of those affected are found to be using the new form of medication. It is a three-month treatment, which costs between Rs 18,000 to Rs 25,000 per month. The burden of this virus has reduced drastically following the introduction of the new medicines,” said Dr. Venkateswaran, medical gastroenterologist, Stanley Medical College and Hospital.
