Province Adds Two Hepatitis C Drugs to Pharmacare
Health and Wellness
July 27, 2012 2:51 PM
Nova Scotians living with chronic hepatitis C will have access to better treatments for the disease through the province's Pharmacare program.
Effective Sept. 1, Victrelis and Incivek will be added to Pharmacare. Using one of the drugs with the standard treatment of Peginterferon Alpha and Ribavarin makes these medications more effective. The drugs will be offered to patients who meet criteria set by hepatologists.
"Adding Victrelis and Incivek to Pharmacare is a great leap forward in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C," said David Wilson, Minister of Health and Wellness. "As the effects of hepatitis C can be far-reaching, access to these medications will help Nova Scotians with the disease be healthier."
About 35 patients per year are expected to benefit from Victrelis and Incivek in Nova Scotia.
Chronic hepatitis C is an important public health concern. About 15 to 25 per cent of people with chronic hepatitis C will develop progressive liver disease, end stage liver disease, liver cancer, or will require a liver transplant.
The announcement to add Victrelis and Incivek to Pharmacare comes in time for World Hepatitis Day on July 28. World Hepatitis Day is coordinated by the World Hepatitis Alliance and is recognized by the World Health Organization as a way to raise awareness of viral hepatitis.
Nearly 180,000 Nova Scotians benefit from Nova Scotia's Pharmacare program. More information about Pharmacare is available at www.gov.ns.ca/health/pharmacare .
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Nova Scotians living with chronic hepatitis C will have
access to better treatments for the disease through the
province's Pharmacare program.
Effective September 1st, Victrelis (vick-trell-is) and
Incivek (in-sa-veck) will be added to Pharmacare.
Using one of the drugs with the standard medications
makes them more effective. The drugs will be offered to
patients who meet certain criteria.
Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson says the
effects of hepatitis C can be far-reaching and access to these
medications will help Nova Scotians with the disease be
healthier.
-30-
Media Contact: Patricia Jreige
Health and Wellness
902-424-2727
E-mail: patricia.jreige@gov.ns.ca
Nova Scotians living with chronic hepatitis C will have access to better treatments for the disease through the province's Pharmacare program.
Effective Sept. 1, Victrelis and Incivek will be added to Pharmacare. Using one of the drugs with the standard treatment of Peginterferon Alpha and Ribavarin makes these medications more effective. The drugs will be offered to patients who meet criteria set by hepatologists.
"Adding Victrelis and Incivek to Pharmacare is a great leap forward in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C," said David Wilson, Minister of Health and Wellness. "As the effects of hepatitis C can be far-reaching, access to these medications will help Nova Scotians with the disease be healthier."
About 35 patients per year are expected to benefit from Victrelis and Incivek in Nova Scotia.
Chronic hepatitis C is an important public health concern. About 15 to 25 per cent of people with chronic hepatitis C will develop progressive liver disease, end stage liver disease, liver cancer, or will require a liver transplant.
The announcement to add Victrelis and Incivek to Pharmacare comes in time for World Hepatitis Day on July 28. World Hepatitis Day is coordinated by the World Hepatitis Alliance and is recognized by the World Health Organization as a way to raise awareness of viral hepatitis.
Nearly 180,000 Nova Scotians benefit from Nova Scotia's Pharmacare program. More information about Pharmacare is available at www.gov.ns.ca/health/pharmacare .
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Nova Scotians living with chronic hepatitis C will have
access to better treatments for the disease through the
province's Pharmacare program.
Effective September 1st, Victrelis (vick-trell-is) and
Incivek (in-sa-veck) will be added to Pharmacare.
Using one of the drugs with the standard medications
makes them more effective. The drugs will be offered to
patients who meet certain criteria.
Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson says the
effects of hepatitis C can be far-reaching and access to these
medications will help Nova Scotians with the disease be
healthier.
-30-
Media Contact: Patricia Jreige
Health and Wellness
902-424-2727
E-mail: patricia.jreige@gov.ns.ca