Well done, Valenti, and good luck with the treatment. It’s amazing how easy it has been for me where I am in the Middle-East to import the medicine. It seems as long as it’s for personal use, no more than three months’ supply, and supported by a prescription and medical report, then there’s no impediment to the shipment. Add to that the willing cooperation of Incepta staff, then what could go wrong?

On a side note, it’s well-known that Hep C is an impediment to working in many M-E countries, and it’s screened for as part of the residency process. The UAE was like this three years ago but then changed policy and dropped HCV screening for foreigners. The Health Ministry also has promptly made available and affordable the likes of Harvoni and Viekira, but only for Emirati citizens – foreigners still need either an exceptional level of health insurance cover or recourse to treatments such as Twinvir. Thankfully, there exists a clear and easy process for obtaining generics, and this was the main reason I posted my story in the first instance. Thanks again, Valenti, for letting everyone know this can be done from Brazil, too.

I’m approaching the end of week 4. Absolutely no negative side effects other than possibly some insomnia. Benefits – possibly a feeling of increased alertness, and my eyes don’t seem to be as tired as they late in the afternoon. Who knows. I’m not planning on having any tests other than at 8 weeks and then 8 weeks after the 12-week treatment Although I’m expecting to be UND, I’ve got a sanguine approach to monitoring viral loads, LFT, etc. I blame it on the disappointment of my first interferon treatment.