Scottish campaign to raise awareness of hepatitis C treatments

A new online campaign has launched to help raise awareness of new treatments for hepatitis C.
Recent advances in treatments have produced tablet-only medication with minimal side effects. Photo: kropekk_pl from PixabayRecent advances in treatments have produced tablet-only medication with minimal side effects. Photo: kropekk_pl from Pixabay
Recent advances in treatments have produced tablet-only medication with minimal side effects. Photo: kropekk_pl from Pixabay

While another virus is dominating the headlines, many thousands of people in Scotland continue to suffer the life threatening effects of hepatitis C.

The coronavirus pandemic has made this situation worse by disrupting access to treatment and derailing the Scottish Givernment’s plans to eradicate hepatitis C by 2024.

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With today (July 28) being World Hepatitis Day, Hepatitis Scotland has launched its #BeHepCFree campaign which seeks people to access treatment or come forward if they may have been at risk.

Recent advances in treatments have produced tablet-only medication with minimal side effects, compared to previous years when patients required weekly injections producing flu-like side effects and a cure rate under 50 per cent.

The new publicity campaign focuses on interviews with people who were successfully cured, with widespread agreement that the new treatments are a game changer.

Comments from cured patients included: “It was easy, very easy, one of the best things I’ve done”, ”Nae hassle, nae side effects”, “I started the treatment and I felt better” and ”After a week or two it was absolutely brilliant, I couldn’t fault it”.

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Hepatitis Scotland lead officer Leon Wylie said: “Covid has interrupted Scotland’s progression towards eliminating hepatitis C as a public health issue by 2024.

“Services are only now starting to come back online and therefore it has become even more important for those affected by chronic hepatitis C to come forward for treatment. The new drugs are transformative, meaning that it is now incredibly easy to be treated and cured. We believe it is vital that people come forward to access testing and care.”

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