Economic burden of hepatitis C in Egypt: the future impact of highly effective therapies. Issue 6 (22nd July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Estes, C.; Abdel‐Kareem, M.; Abdel‐Razek, W.; Abdel‐Sameea, E.; Abuzeid, M.; Gomaa, A.; Osman, W.; Razavi, H.; Zaghla, H.; Waked, I.
• Is Part Of: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics. Volume 42:Issue 6(2015)
• Page Start: 696
• Page End: 706
• Publication Date: 2015-07-22
• Subjects: Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Effect of drugs on -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal system -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal system -- Effect of drugs on -- Periodicals; 615.73
• DOI: 10.1111/apt.13316
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-2813

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="apt13316-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <sec id="apt13316-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Egypt is the highest in the world, yet the total economic burden has not been quantified. Improved understanding of costs and the impact of treatment strategies will provide for better allocation of resources to reduce HCV disease and economic burden.</p> </sec> <sec id="apt13316-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>A modelling approach was used to quantify the current HCV‐infected population, future disease progression and associated costs in Egypt.</p> </sec> <sec id="apt13316-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Direct healthcare costs were calculated from a nationally representative hospital and a disability adjusted life year (DALY) template was used with monetary value assigned to lost life years. Three scenarios were considered: (i) Historical treatment scenario: 50% SVR; 65 000 treated annually, (ii) Current treatment scenario: 90% sustained virologic response (SVR); 65 000 treated annually, (iii) Increased treatment scenario: 90% SVR; 325 000 treated annually by 2018.</p> </sec> <sec id="apt13316-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Cumulative DALYs (2015–2030) under Scenario 1 were estimated at 7.88 million and cumulative costs estimated at $89.07 billion. Annual DALYs increased 16% during 2015–2030 while annual costs more than doubled. Scenario 2 reduced cumulative DALYs and costs by 7% and 4%, respectively. Under Scenario 3, total costs declined 73% to $1047 million during 2015–2030. As compared to Scenario 1, cumulative DALYs and costs decreased 37% and 35%, respectively.</p> </sec> <sec id="apt13316-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>This is the first estimate of the total economic burden of HCV in Egypt. Extraordinary measures are necessary to substantially reduce HCV disease and cost burden. With newer therapies, strategies to reduce disease burden are feasible and cost‐effective.</p> </sec> </abstract>