Mexico authorizes new drug against hepatitis C

The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to eradicate hepatitis C from here 2030. To this end, the global biopharmaceutical company AbbVie, announced the approval of his new oral treatment called: Mavyret. A drug for adults with chronic infection with the virus of the hepatitis C in all major genotypes – from 1 to 6 – which is already available in Mexico.

Hepatitis C it is a liver disease caused by the virus of the same name; this virus can cause acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis, the severity of which varies between a slight discomfort that lasts a few weeks and a serious illness for life. An estimated 71.1 million people worldwide are living with the disease.

Mavyret: The new treatment against hepatitis C

This medicine it's a pan-genotypic treatment of eight weekss, from a single daily intake and without ribavirin

In Mexico, direct-acting antivirals are already included in the basic table and are used in social security institutions, "The problem is that they only target genotype 1, which, although it is the most prevalent in Mexico, has left 30% of people who could have another one."said Dr. José Luis Cañadas, medical director of AbbVie.

This therapy has a strong clinical profile. In just 8 weeks of treatment, 98% patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), GT1-6 without cirrhosis and treated or not (Only genotype 3 patients previously treated require a longer duration of treatment) they managed to heal, that is to say that 12 weeks after the end of the treatment, no presence of the virus was detected.

Dr. Rosalba Moreno, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital of Especialidades del Siglo XXI National Medical Center of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), detailed:

"This new treatment, which in the vast majority of cases lasts 8 weeks, is indicated in patients without cirrhosis, that is to say patients who have not received previous treatment or who have received previous treatment used in most Mexican patients with the hepatitis C virus, which is an advantage for both patients and doctors. "

The specialist in gastroenterology and gastrointestinal endoscopy added thatThe treatment will also benefit patients with specific treatment difficulties, including those with compensated cirrhosis., In all major genotypes, as well as in patients who previously had only limited treatment options, such as those with Severe chronic renal disease (ERC), or with chronic infection with the genotype 3 hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis C in Mexico

Currently, between 400,000 and 600,000 Mexicans are infected with this virus, the vast majority of whom have not been diagnosed. Dr. Margarita Dehesa, a member of the Scientific Committee of the Mexican Foundation for Liver Health, added:

"Hepatitis C is a complex virus for which it would be difficult to have a vaccine in a short time, the release of this drug is therefore essential to take care of and facilitate the management of patients."

80% of people living with the virus they are not aware of the status of their infection and only 20% are diagnosed, then Dr. Dehesa stressed the importance of screening and in developing a plan for the elimination of the disease involving the government, private initiative, civil society and academia.

Distribution of Mavyret in Mexico

This new treatment, which combines two drugs: glecaprevir and pibrentasvir. Its distribution will take place in a few weeks in private pharmacies and before the end of the year will have the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). Over the months, it should be repaired in several health centers in Mexico.

This medicine has already been approved by the FDA and EMA in Europe and practically in all European countries, it has been used for one year with the same results as those observed in the stages of clinical research. In Mexico, it is already approved by Cofepris.

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