Segment 8 - Future of Innovation and Treatment Costs

In the concluding segment, Dr Fendrick asks the panel to provide closing remarks about the future of treating hepatitis C (HCV). Dr Afdal says he believes this is a moment in time where a “revolution is taking place.” He says the industry has an opportunity—whether where treatment is done, or by whom.

“We’ve taken a disease that has significant economic, social, and health impact in the US… and made it, essentially, a disease that can be eradicated,” he says. What we really need is the ability and [the] will and economic strategy to be able to do this.”

Dr Winston says HCV can be cured, unlike HIV. He agrees that new treatments are “monumental,” and the next few years should be exciting. Dr Miller says that over 100 million people globally are afflicted with HCV. Strategies must be put into place so that the costs for treatment are shared worldwide rather than by US employers alone. Hopefully, he says, overall costs will be reduced as time progresses.