8-week Hepatitis C treatment as good as 12-week course: ICMR study says it saves Rs 5,000

A recent Indian study published in The Lancet has found that an eight-week course of antiviral drugs can effectively cure hepatitis C, similar to the standard 12-week treatment, for patients without cirrhosis. This could lead to significant cost savings, as the shorter course could cut drug expenses by about a third, or roughly Rs 5,000 per patient.

The trial, called RESOLVE, involved 880 patients at five public hospitals across India. Among those who completed treatment, the cure rates were nearly identical at 98.8% for the eight-week regimen and 99% for the standard 12-week treatment. This shorter regimen could also reduce the burden on patients, as they would need fewer hospital visits and less time away from work.

The findings apply to patients without cirrhosis, as their treatment is more complex and requires longer courses. Implementing the shorter regimen could help India move closer to eliminating hepatitis C as a public health problem. However, further research is needed to determine if the treatment can also be shortened for patients with more advanced liver disease.