[Comment] Innovative strategies to enhance access to HCV therapy
As of 2022, an estimated 50 million people globally were infected with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), with an estimated 1 million new infections annually. Of these 50 million people, only 36% were aware of their diagnosis, and only 20% of those diagnosed had been treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).1 Inspired by highly efficacious and well tolerated DAAs, WHO set an ambitious target of HCV elimination by 2030.2 However, only a few countries are on target to reach this goal, and it is estimated that the number of people treated annually needs to increase from 754 000 to 7·2 million to achieve this target.
As of 2022, an estimated 50 million people globally were infected with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), with an estimated 1 million new infections annually. Of these 50 million people, only 36% were aware of their diagnosis, and only 20% of those diagnosed had been treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).1 Inspired by highly efficacious and well tolerated DAAs, WHO set an ambitious target of HCV elimination by 2030.2 However, only a few countries are on target to reach this goal, and it is estimated that the number of people treated annually needs to increase from 754 000 to 7·2 million to achieve this target.
