TOPIC:

Hello,
My name is Graham Falvey. I am English, 70 years old, and live in Vietnam.
Back in 2010, a Bangkok hospital told me I was HCV genotype 3a.
Returning to Vietnam, I privately paid for the Interferon treatment which was supervised by a local Vietnamese hospital. At the end of the 6 months, I was told I was cured.
Two years later, the same Bangkok hospital told me I was still carrying HCV genotype 3a. Local advice was that it was not worth repeating the Interferon treatment as it had not worked the first time. I could not, and still cannot, afford the drugs that subsequently became available at their original prices.
Since then I have heard about the new cheaper, generic drugs and have also found this site for which I am grateful.
My questions in order of importance are:-
Is there a legal pathway for a Brit like myself to import to Vietnam?
If so, which medication do I need? The medications available now, it seems, are:
• sofosbuvir + ledipasvir (Harvoni®)
• sofosbuvir (Sovaldi®)
• daclatasvir (Daklinza®)
• ribavirin (Ibavyr®)
What docs would I need from my doctor here to apply for help?

Any advice about any of this would be gratefully received.
Thank you,
Graham Falvey
Apologies if this has appeared twice.

Hi Graham,

It is certainly possible to get the medications in Vietnam.

Your options are Sofosbuvir+Daclatasvir or Sofosbuvir+Velpatasvir +/- Ribavirin for 12-24 weeks.

Exactly what and for how long depends on your level of fibrosis, how much you can afford, and if you want to avoid Ribavirin (longer treatment can allow this).

Your level of fibrosis is important to know. Ideally from a fibroscan, but failing that Platelets from a FBC and AST from the liver panel give a good enough estimate.

Thank you, James. Now I know where to start.
Many thanks,
Graham

Hi Graham,

I have a couple of online appointments free tomorrow, so if you want to book on we can have a chat in detail.

gp2u.com.au

Thank you so much, James. This is very kind of you and much more than I expected from the forum.
Please tell me what time would be suitable for you so I can relate it to Hanoi time.
Also, how do we make contact? Via skype? I am not sure of the technology to do this.
Many thanks again,
Graham

click on that link to gp2u, it takes you through, you will see list of doctors, time available etc. It is pretty easy, I stressed at first but it is just click click done.

Many thanks, Hazel. You, and others, on this site are being so helpful.
Graham