INTERFERON-FREE THERAPY FOR HEPATITIS C IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem. In Pakistan, more than 10 million people are suffering from HCV infection with an estimated prevalence of 4.9%. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes. Various genotypes respond differently to different treatment regimes. In Pakistan, 79% cases of HCV infections have genotype 3. The aim of therapy in chronic HCV infection is to attain sustained virologic response and thus reduce liver fibrosis and hepatoma. Although Interferon plus ribavirin therapy shows a good response in patients with genotype 3, yet the problem with this regimen is the serious side-effects of interferon. For these reasons interferon-free therapy was always a desire. Directly acting agents like sofosbuvir has made the dream of interferon-free therapy a reality. Studies have shown an excellent response to combination of sofosbuvir and ribavirin therapy in genotype 3 which is the most prevalent type in Pakistani population.