Author Archives: Dr James

When sofosbuvir first reached the market it was not approved for patients with CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) stages 4 and 5 which means patients with an eGFR of < 30 ml/min. This was based on the observations that: Sofosbuvir is rapidly metabolised to GS-331007 (t1/2 0.4 hours), and GS-331007 (t1/2 27 hours) has renal excretion, […]

Perhaps it’s age, perhaps it’s Hep C, perhaps it’s the medication. Whatever the reason, the reality is quite a few people with Hep C have issues with tinnitus. A friend of mine called Davo had this issue and resorted to Google where he found an Australian company called “Sound Therapy International”. Lucky it was him, rather […]

It’s come to my attention that some people on the Internet are “bad-mouthing” Maviret (Mavyret) and suggesting it’s the worst option on the market and that you need Sofosbuvir. Anyone stating this does not, as they say, know their ass from their elbow – this drug is awesome where awesome means great cure rates, short […]

For the past 2 decades, Jules Levin at NATAP has done a fantastic job reporting what is presented at all the major scientific meetings on HIV, HBV and HCV around the world. Here are 83 studies presented at the AASLD 2018 conference that cover the leading edge of Hep C research as it currently stands. Hepatitis Debrief: […]

In an announcement worthy of 3 dancing bananas , PHARMAC in New Zealand have just announced: We are pleased to announce a decision to fund a new treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection, glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (Maviret) from 1 February 2019, and to widen access to adalimumab (Humira) for patients with psoriasis from 1 July 2019, […]

Here is a summary slide set where expert faculty members summarize key viral hepatitis studies from AASLD 2018 in San Francisco. Use these slides to review data on newer HCV regimens, the HCV continuum of care, posttreatment HCV outcomes, HCV D+R- transplantation, NA cessation in chronic hepatitis B, and investigational HBV/HDV therapeutics. Clinical Impact of […]

The usual way we detect Hepatitis C is using an Antibody test. Following infection with Hepatitis C the body forms antibodies to the virus and these antibodies persist lifelong. In about 25% of patients the antibodies successfully remove the virus, however, the remaining 75% of patients go on to develop chronic Hepatitis C (persistent infection). […]

The Medicines Patent Pool Signs Licence with AbbVie to Expand Access to Key Hepatitis C Treatment, Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir SAN FRANCISCO, November 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Important collaboration will ensure affordable hepatitis C treatment options in low- and middle-income countries.   The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) has today announced a new, royalty-free licence agreement with AbbVie for glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) – a World Health […]

One of the feared complications of Hepatitis C is HepatoCellular Carcinoma (HCC) aka Liver Cancer. While anyone can get this type of cancer it is most common in patients who have liver cirrhosis from any cause. We look for it using a blood test for AlphaFeto Protein (AFP) and/or Ultrasound, CT or MRI. Ok, so the […]