The Province is expanding PharmaCare coverage for patients suffering from hepatitis C to include the drug boceprevir (Victrelis and Victrelis Triple), helping patients and their families.

Boceprevir was approved by Health Canada for use in patients with chronic hepatitis C in July 2011. Following that approval, the drug was reviewed through the national and provincial drug review processes, which determine if a drug provides benefit over existing drug therapies. The Province undertook an expedited review process, to allow patients who could benefit from boceprevir to access the drug through PharmaCare as quickly as possible.

PharmaCare coverage for boceprevir will be provided through the Special Authority program for patients with chronic lab-confirmed hepatitis C infection (genotype 1), who meet eligibility criteria. New patients who have not received treatment before for hepatitis C, as well as previously treated patients who have responded only partially to or relapsed after another treatment for hepatitis C will be eligible.

Expanding coverage to include boceprevir represents an investment of up to $50 million over the next three years. Every year, the Province spends more than $100 million on prevention, education and treatment of hepatitis C.

Boceprevir is a new treatment for chronic hepatitis C (genotype 1), taken in combination with two other drugs (peginterferon and ribavirin). In clinical trials, patients who had never received treatment and took the boceprevir combination had a 25 per cent higher cure rate over those who did not. In patients who had previously been unsuccessful on other therapies, the boceprevir cure rate was 38 per cent higher compared to those who received peginterferon and ribavirin alone.

Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus. If hepatitis C is left untreated or uncured it may result in end-stage liver failure, leading to organ transplantation or death.

Quotes:

Minister of Health Michael de Jong -

"By expanding PharmaCare coverage to include boceprevir, we will be able to help hundreds of British Columbians suffering with hepatitis C, including those who were previously unsuccessful with other therapies. I am especially pleased that by undertaking an expedited drug review process, we have been able to make this drug available to British Columbians sooner than initially anticipated."

Dr. Mel Krajden, Clinical Prevention Services-Hepatitis, BC Centre for Disease Control -

"The rapid approval of boceprevir is a major step forward towards the potential future elimination of hepatitis C infections in British Columbians. Viral cure is known to reduce mortality, improve quality of life and prevent progression of liver disease. "

Quick Facts:

• Boceprevir is a new treatment for chronic hepatitis C (genotype 1), taken in combination with two other drugs (peginterferon and ribavirin) over a period lasting between 24 and 44 weeks.
• The number of newly diagnosed cases of hepatitis C has fallen dramatically, from 7,700 in 1997 to 2,444 in 2009 and the Province is committed to preventing new infections, identifying those suffering from hepatitis C and providing them the treatment they need.
• There are about 64,000 British Columbians currently diagnosed with hepatitis C, of whom about 25 per cent have cleared their infection without treatment.
• Without PharmaCare or private drug plan coverage, boceprevir would cost patients about $1,050 per week.
• PharmaCare also provides coverage through the Special Authority program for Pegasys RBV and Pegetron / Pegetron Redipen to hepatitis C patients.
• The Province is committed to meeting the goals of B.C.'s strategic viral hepatitis framework, Healthy Pathways Forward, which focuses on preventing new infections, identifying those suffering from hepatitis C and providing them the treatment they need.

Media Contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)